Abstract:
An improved bale wagon having at least one bumper member to position the rolling rack at the proper distance from the end of the front load rack of the bale wagon, and to dampen the impact between the front wall of the load rack and the front end of the rolling rack of the bale wagon when the rolling rack returns to the front of the load rack after release of its spring bias.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
   This invention relates generally to bale wagons, and more particularly, to an apparatus disposed between the rolling rack and the load rack of a bale wagon. The apparatus serves to precisely locate the rolling rack and to dampen the impact between the rolling rack and the load rack when they engage at the initial loading position. 
   BACKGROUND ART 
   It is accepted present day practice to form bales of crop materials, such as hay or the like, into stacks through the employment of an automatic bale wagon. One type of bale wagon which has achieved wide-spread commercial acceptance is the automatic bale wagon which employs the three table concept, as originally illustrated and described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,848,172 which issued to Gordon E. Grey. Many refinements have been made to the Grey bale wagon, such as those shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,945,507. However, the basic concept has remained substantially the same. 
   This type of bale wagon includes a first table which successively receives bales from a bale loader or pick-up on the wagon frame and accumulates a predetermined number of bales, for example, two, being arranged end-to-end in a row. The Grey bale wagon also includes a second table which successively receives the accumulated predetermined number of bales from the first table and accumulates them in a plurality of rows, such as four, five or six rows, the plurality of rows commonly being known as a tier of bales. The second table then rotates the tier of bales 90 degrees about a horizontal axis and deposits the tier of bales in a vertical orientation on the third table. The third table, also known as the load bed, then successively receives the vertical tiers from the second table and accumulates a plurality of the tiers, for example seven, to form a stack. Once the stack has been accumulated on the load bed or third table, it may be unloaded by tilting the load bed to deposit the stack on the ground with the first tiers of bales which were previously accumulated on the second table now being the lowermost tiers of the stack in contact with the ground surface. 
   Typically the load rack has a rolling rack that is capable of moving forwardly and rearwardly along the load bed supported by a lower end moveable within a forward to rearward channel on the load bed. The rolling rack is moved rearwardly from an initial or first position at a forward location on the load bed as each tier of the stack of bales is deposited on the load bed until the stack is fully formed. This rolling rack then supports the stack of bales as the third table is tilted to deposit the bales on the ground. The rolling rack, held in place by a cable and spring drive, or the like, is then released and returned to its original or initial position near the forward end of the load rack to repeat the process with additional bales of crop. 
   Return of the rolling rack to the appropriate initial position adjacent the forward end of the load bed is desirable for proper load bed operation. If the load rack is initially positioned too far forward, the bales may overhang the front edge of the load bed causing difficulty in loading subsequent tiers of bales without compressing or damaging the crop. If the load rack is initially positioned too far rearward, the tiers of bales may misalign or the bales may move relative to one another as the third bed is rotated and the stack of bales is deposited on the ground. This movement may cause damage to the rolling rack due to the shifting loads exerted on the rolling rack. 
   To return the rolling rack to its initial position adjacent to the forward end of the load rack, the energy stored in the spring of the cable and spring drive is released, propelling the rolling rack forward until the rolling rack slams against the front wall of the channel of the load rack. This slamming contact can result in severe wear to both the rolling rack channel walls and the metal stops on the rolling rack, and can make a loud noise upon impact. 
   Thus, what is sought is a new apparatus that will locate the rolling rack in its desired initial position in a predetermined spaced relation to the forward end of the load rack and cushion the impact when the rolling rack is returned to its initial position. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   According to the invention, an apparatus that positions the rolling rack at the appropriate point on the load rack and cushions the metal to metal impact created when the rolling rack collides with the front of the load rack is disclosed. This apparatus provides a means to adjust the precise position of the rolling rack within the channel to the desired location depending on roller clearance, crop conditions, bale size and wear of the machinery. According to the preferred method of the invention, large bumpers made of a shock absorbent material, such as rubber, are attached between the metal stops on the rolling rack and the front of the rolling rack channel at the exact location where the rolling rack collides with the front of the channel of the load rack. The bumpers may be placed on the metal stops of the rolling rack or on the inside of the channel at the front of the load rack. The bumpers are placed to absorb the energy from the collision of the rolling rack and the front of the channel on the load rack. The size of the bumper must be large enough to absorb the energy, but not so large as to interfere with the operation of the rolling rack. One or more shims may be placed between the bumper and the surface to which the bumper is attached to adjust the starting point of the rolling rack depending on roller clearance, crop conditions, bale size and machine wear. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a rear perspective view of the bale wagon of the present invention with the rolling rack positioned on the load rack. 
       FIG. 2  is a left side view of a partially loaded load rack and rolling rack from the bale wagon of this invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the rolling rack with the cushioning bumpers of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3   a  is a front perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the rolling rack with the cushioning bumpers of the present invention shown in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of the bumper, the shim, and the front end of the rolling rack of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4   a  is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the bumper, the shim, and the front end of the rolling rack of the present invention shown in  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the bumper, a shim, and the metal casing of the invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  6 — 6  of  FIG. 3  of the embodiment of the bumper shown in  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  6 — 6  of  FIG. 3  of an alternative embodiment of the bumper design used in the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  is a rear perspective view of a bale wagon, partially loaded, with a rolling rack  40  near the rear  65  of the load rack  20 , but where the bumper feature cannot be seen. 
   At  FIG. 2 , there is a partially loaded load rack  20  wherein the second table  30  of a bale wagon is positioned to deposit a tier of bales  12  onto the third table or load rack  20 . Rolling rack  40 , via front portion  42 , slideably engages within channel  45  of the load rack  20 . For proper loading, the rolling rack  40  is at a distance X (width of a bale) from the tines  62  of the rolling rack  40 . When a tier of bales  12  is deposited on the load rack  20 , it pushes against tier of bales  11  and forces the rolling rack  40  to move towards the back  65  of the load rack  20 . Each subsequent tier of bales (not shown) deposited on the load rack  20 , causes the rolling rack  40  to move towards the back  65  of the load rack until a stack of bales is formed. After the stack is dumped, the rolling rack  40  returns to the front end  60  of load rack  20  via release of its spring bias. 
   In  FIG. 3 , the rolling rack  40  extends to a front most portion  42  which slideably engages in channel  45  of load rack  20  as described above and as depicted in  FIG. 2 . Bumpers  50  are fixed against stops  55  at the front most portion  42  of the rolling rack  40 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 4 , one bumper  50  affixed to stop  55  via shim  70  at front portion  42  of the rolling rack  40  collides with the front  60  of load rack  20  within channel  45 . The use of a shim  70 , positioned between the bumper  50  and the stop  55 , effectively increases the distance from the tines  62  of the rolling rack  40  to the front  60  of the load rack  20 . The use of one or more shims  70  can adjust the rolling rack  40  to the desired forward position at the front  60  of load rack  20  within the channel  45 , thus facilitating more effective loading of the next tier of bales after the bumper  50  collides with the front  60  of the load rack  20 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 5 , one alternative embodiment of the bumper  50  and the shim  70  are depicted apart from one another. This embodiment can be attached to the stop  55  on the rolling rack front portion  42  of the rolling rack  40 , or inside the channel  45  at the front  60  of the load rack  20  using any conventional method. When a bolt  80  is used to attach the bumper  50 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , a sleeve  82  is provided to prevent deformation of the bumper  50  when the nut  81  is tightened onto the bolt  80 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 6 , the alternative embodiment design of the bumper  50  and the shim  70  are attached face-to-face by the bolt  80  and the nut  81  inside a recessed opening  84 , which is molded inside the bumper  50 , and which opens into a hole which fittingly receives the bolt  80 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 7 , yet another embodiment design is bumper  86  attached face-to-face with the shim  70  by the embedded bolt  80  which can only be removed through the end of the bumper  86  which faces shim  70 . As is also found in the alternative embodiment shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a sleeve  82  is provided to prevent deformation of the bumper  50  when the nut  81  is tightened onto the bolt  80 . 
   It is to be understood that in addition to or as an alternative to the above description, the bumper can be attached to the front wall  60  within the channel  45  of load rack  20 , as opposed to being attached to the stops  55 . Additionally, the bumper  50 , can be attached to the load rack stop  55  or the front wall  60  within the channel  45  of the load rack  20  without a shim  70 . In that situation, the size of the bumper  50  can be varied to position the rolling rack  40  in the desired position at the front  60  of the load rack  20 . 
   It will be understood that changes in the details, materials, steps, and arrangements of parts which have been described and illustrated to explain the nature of the invention will occur to and may be made by those skilled in the art upon a reading of this disclosure within the principles and scope of the invention. The foregoing description illustrates the preferred embodiment of the invention; however, concepts, as based upon the description, may be employed in other embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are intended to protect the invention broadly as well as in the specific form shown.