Patent GB-1501707-A (GB)
Title: Haymaking machines
IPC: A01D78/10
Filed: 1975-04-22
Abstract: 1501707 Haymakers C VAN DER LELY NV 22 April 1975 [22 April 1974] 16683/75 Heading A1F A haymaker comprises at least one tined rake member arranged to rotate about an upright axis, the rake member comprising a substantially closed wall extending coaxially around its axis of rotation and through which tines project, or can occupy positions in which they project, outwardly during operation, wherein all the tines of the rake member are displaceable to different positions relative to the wall.  The rake member 5 of Figs. 2 and 3 through a sleeve 51 about an axis of rotation 11. A stationary shaft 48, coaxial with the sleeve 51 has at its end a ball bearing 81 by means of which the rake member 5, formed of a cylindrical drum 83 and a cone 85 is rotatable about the axis 11. A sleeve 86, coaxial with the axis 11 has at its top end a flange 87 adjustably connected to the cone 85 by fastenings 88. Near its lower end, the sleeve 86 is surrounded by a freely rotatable disc 89, also coaxial with the axis 11, which carries near its periphery, four cylindrical tine holders 90. The tines 91, 92 project outwardly through apertures in tine guides 94 secured by holding flanges to the wall of the cylindrical drum 83 the guides 94 being moveable omnidirectionally. The disc 89 has a recess 95 the curved outer edge of which has a semicircular cavity 96 while the sleeve- 86 has a radial arm 97 with a radial bore 98 in which a ball 99 is located and urged towards the curved outer boundary of the recess 95 by a spring 100. During operation; the sleeve 51 conical part 85, drum 83, disc 82 and sleeve 86 rotate in the direction of arrow C. As rotation commences, due to the inertia of the disc 89, the arm 97 will move within the recess 95 until it reaches the radial boundary edge thereof forward with respect to the direction C. When the drive is switched off the disc 89 will tend to continue rotating until the arm 97 comes into contact with the rearmost radial boundary edge of the recess 95 at which stage the tines 91, 92 are withdrawn to the position shown in broken-lines in Fig. 7. The angle of the tines in the working position is adjusted by means of the adjustable fastening members 88 whereby the radial position of the arm 97 relative to the drum 83 is altered. In the embodiment of Fig. 4 (not shown) a rake member (6) is supported on a castor ground wheel (58). The embodiment of Figs. [5] and [6] shows a rake member wherein the tines, during one complete revolution of the rake member in the direction E, alternate between a position where they are fully retracted within the drum 106 to that in which they extend fully through the tine guides 94. The rake member is driven by shaft 108 coincident with the axis of rotation 107. A non rotatable steering disc 115 is located below a flange 113 and has a radially extending slot 116 through which passes the shaft 108. A second slot 117, slightly longer than slot 116, is arranged in the flange 113. A block 118 fixed to the sleeve 112 cooperates with a second block 121 fixed to the top of the steering disc 115 by means of a spindle 120 which can be turned to adjust the distance between the blocks and hence the position of the slot 116 with respect to shaft 108 A freely rotatable ring 122 extends around the circumference of the steering disc 115. Extending downwardly from the ring 122 are six tine holders 123 to which are separately attached the coils of tines 91 and 92 such that they may rotate and tilt to a degree limited by pins 124, 125. Cylindrical portions 126 extend inwardly of the spherical guides 94. Tension springs 129 are secured between lugs 127. and fastening pieces 128 on the cylindrical portions 126. A flexible wall 130 is bolted to the outer surface of the drum 106 below the tines 91 92. During operation the two drums shown in Fig. 6 rotate in the directions indicated by arrow E. The springs 129 exert torque via the fastening pieces 128 on tines 91, 92 and this causes the ring 122 to rotate about the steering disc 115.