Abstract:
An optimized bale wagon cab that, while maintaining the previously used cab footprint, employs a layout with a wrap around front dash. The layout provides more efficient use of the space available and better placement of everyday controls such as the transmission shifter and bale stacking controls. The layout further addresses the customer desires for additional storage, cup holders, a writing surface and a place to keep papers and clipboards.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to self-propelled agricultural bale wagons and, more particularly to an improved layout for the cab of such a bale wagon. 
   One of the most significant advances made in agricultural mechanization over the past few decades was the development of the automatic bale wagon by G. E. Grey. Grey&#39;s bale wagon, described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,848,127, is principally adapted for stacking bales and is basically comprised of three tandomly arranged cooperating tables. In operation, the basic Grey wagon functions to pick up bales, form them into a composite stack, and subsequently discharge the entire stack in a storage area. Since the inception of the basic Grey wagon, many advancements have been achieved to improve the functionality, operability and ease of use of the implement. 
   The bale wagon can be either pulled through the field by a tractor, or self-propelled. Particularly in the warmer climates, the self-propelled units are most popular and manufactured with a cab that is air-conditioned for increased operator comfort. It is a fairly unique characteristic that the cabs used on bale wagons are smaller and more Spartan in comparison to those on other agricultural implements such as tractors or combine harvesters. Generally, the footprint of a bale wagon is approximately one-third that of a combine harvester. This is true because, even though they receive considerable use in adverse conditions, bale wagons do not generate the income of other equipment needed to justify a spacious comfort center for the operator. Additionally, the cab footprint on the Grey-type bale wagon must be kept to a minimum in order to clear all functioning areas of the bale wagon. These limitations do not, however, eliminate the need to satisfy operator requests for improved comfort and additional features. 
   Thus, the need exists for a bale wagon cab that maximizes the operator&#39;s view of farming operations, yet is as spacious as possible, has a well-designed environment system and allows for easy access to the implement systems. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention is to provide an optimized bale wagon cab. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide an optimized bale wagon cab which has a wrap around control console design. 
   It is another object of the instant invention to provide an optimized bale wagon cab that allows more efficient use of the space available and better placement of everyday controls. 
   It is a further object of the instant invention to provide an optimized bale wagon cab that includes customer desired additions, such as storage for a water jug, storage for a cooler, a larger tool box, cup holders, a flat writing surface and a location to keep papers and clipboards. 
   It is yet another object of the instant invention to provide an optimized bale wagon cab that provides the operator with more creature comfort space within the previously available cab footprint. 
   It is yet another object of the instant invention to provide an optimized bale wagon cab that is durable in construction, inexpensive of manufacture, carefree of maintenance, facile in assemblage, and simple, versatile and effective in use. 
   These and other objects are attained by providing an optimized bale wagon cab that, while maintaining the previously used cab footprint, employs a layout with a wrap around front dash. The layout provides more efficient use of the space available and better placement of everyday controls such as the transmission shifter and bale stacking controls. The layout further addresses the customer desires for additional storage, cup holders, a writing surface and a place to keep papers and clipboards. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The advantages of this invention will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed disclosure of the invention, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing3 wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a partial upper left rear perspective view of the cab of the instant invention, with several components shown in phantom; and 
       FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the shifter and multi-function control handle, taken along line  2 — 2  of  FIG. 1 . 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Many of the fastening, connection, processes and other means and components utilized in this invention are widely known and used in the field of the invention described, and their exact nature or type is not necessary for an understanding and use of the invention by a person skilled in the art, and they will not therefore be discussed in significant detail. Also, any reference herein to the terms “left” or “right” are used as a matter of mere convenience, and are determined by standing at the rear of the machine facing in its normal direction of travel. Furthermore, the various components shown or described herein for any specific application of this invention can be varied or altered as anticipated by this invention and the practice of a specific application of any element may already by widely known or used in the art by persons skilled in the art and each will likewise not therefore be discussed in significant detail. 
   Self-propelled bale wagons, with operator cabs, have been have been in use for quite a few years, as shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,227,845. Attention is directed to FIG. 1 of the &#39;845 patent as a general depiction of a bale wagon. The description of the BACKGROUND section of that patent also provides a reasonably thorough general explanation of the operation of the operation and functionality of the unit. 
   Referring now to the drawing, it is possible to observe the major elements and general operation of the present invention. A typical bale wagon cab  10  provides a platform from which the operator manages the pick up and stacking of bales. Cab  10  has an operator&#39;s seat  12  located behind the steering wheel  14 . 
   The instant invention is to an optimized cab layout generally seen as a wrap-around front dash into the right hand side console. Starting at the left hand of the front dash there is an angled shelf  20  for the storage of a water jug or the like, the downward and forward angle to keep the contents in place during travel through rough fields. An upward lip  22  on the rear edge of the shelf may be included to further assist in keeping the contents in place. A relatively small compact angled dash  24 , with all needed gauges and an ignition switch, is positioned in front of the operator to allow for improved line-of-sight observation and operation of the bale wagon primary power and motive functions. The top  26  of the dash  24  is angled forwardly and downwardly to provide a location for clipboards and the like, and to prevent them from sliding around in an unorganized manner. A bank of indicator lights  28  are located in the right hand front corner to alert the operator of any trouble with the various operational components of the bale wagon. The shifter  30  is relatively close to the operator and is located in the front corner of the right hand console. A multi-function control handle  32  controls bale stack functions and a larger display panel  34  continuously shows the function status. An additional sloped surface panel  44  fills out the remainder of the right hand area extending to the rear wall of the cab. A removable or pivotable cover plate  46  in panel  44  may be used to protect various components such as, for example, fuses. A flat surface plate  36  connects the front dash  24  with the right hand console and incorporates cup holders  38 . The flat surface provides a writing platform, if needed. 
   A tool tray can be slid between the seat support  40  and the right hand console for storage, and under the seat support  40 . The space  42  between the seat and the left hand rear cab wall allows a cooler to be stored out of the way. 
   The front floor area  50  is angled forwardly and upwardly for more comfortable position of the operator&#39;s feet and a small steering column housing  52  for more knee room. 
   Thus, there has been described a bale wagon cab with a generally rectangular footprint approximately 42″×46″. The portion of the cab below the operator&#39;s seat, except for the door, is generally solid sheet metal with framed glass above. The front windshield is usually slightly curved side to side, but may be planar. Corner posts generally provide support for the roof, in which the air conditioning unit is usually located. The wrap-around control console design, when considered in association with a seat  12  that swivels into two positions in both directions, the first approximately 15 degrees and the second 30 degrees (reducing operator neck fatigue), allows a more comfortable arrangement for the operator, such that the controls are easily and readily accessible from in either the straight forward (for road transport) or the pivoted positions (for field operations). The right hand console is mostly open below the console components to provide additional leg/knee room for the operator when the seat is pivoted to the right. This layout optimizes use of the available space and provides better placement of everyday controls such as the transmission shifter and bale stacking controls. 
     FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the shifter  30  and multi-function control handle  32 . As can be seen both units are incorporated into the layout in a manner making each readily accessible by the operator. The shifter controls an automatic transmission, so it operates basically within an elongate slot  31  to move between positions. 
   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 inventions. Accordingly, the following claims are intended to protect the invention broadly as well as in the specific form shown.