Patent GB-680948-A (GB)
Title: Means for attachment to a vehicle for use in loading bales and the like thereon
IPC: A01D87/12
Filed: 1950-07-12
Abstract: 680,948. Loading vehicles; rotary elevators. MAXWELL, C. W. July 12, 1950. [July 21, 1949] No. 17460150. Classes 78 (i) and 78 (iv). A device for lifting bales or the like from the ground and depositing them on an elevated platform for loading on to a vehicle comprises a wheeled frame or chassis adapted to be attached to the vehicle, two sets of arms extending radially from hubs rotatable on a substantially horizontal axle mounted on said frame or chassis, and means for rotating said sets of arms about said axle during the travel of the vehicle, the arrangement and mounting of said arms being such that each arm of one set is opposite an arm of the other set to form a pair therewith, and that the outer free ends of each pair of arms move toward each other as they travel through the lower arc of their rotation to engage a bale and lift it from the ground, and move away from each other as they travel through the upper arc of their rotation to release and deposit the bale on said elevated platform. In the embodiment shown, the device comprises a wheeled frame adapted to be towed by a vehicle A being connected to a bracket B at a rear corner of the vehicle, the bales being lifted on to a platform 44 from which they are transferred to the vehicle. The frame comprises two side beams 10 converging to a point 11 where they are coupled to the bracket B by a pin 12. Two sets of balecollecting arms 23 are secured to hubs 22 rotatably mounted on the ends of a spindle 20 bent as shown at 21. The arms are preferably made of spring steel and the sets are secured to one another by adjustable overlapping plates 24. The arms are rotated from one of the frame wheels 18 by a chain 27 passing round a sprocket 26 secured to the hub 22 of one set of arms, and a sprocket loosely mounted on a stub axle 16 supporting one of the wheels 18. This latter sprocket may be connected to or disconnected from the axle 16 by a handoperated clutch comprising an expanding and contracting band secured to the sprocket and encircling a drum secured on the axle. The axles 16 are supported on arms 15 secured at one end to the ends of an axle 13 journalled in brackets 14 fixed to the beams 10 and at the other end to adjustable braces 17 also secured to these braces 10. When the arms 23 are rotated they close in and grip a bale as they move through the lower part of their rotation and carry it rearwardly and upwardly, and then as they reach the top of their path open out and release the bale on to a platform 40 extending rearwardly from pillars 41. The bales are assisted up the platform bv a wheel 46 which projects through a slot 49 in the platform, the wheel being mounted on a spindle 47 which is connected by chain-and-sprocket 50 with the hub 22 on the far side of the chassis. A frame for correctly positioning the bales in front of the arms 23 comprises arms 52, 53 hinged at their rear ends to brackets 54 supported on the axles 16 and supported at their front ends on wheels 55, the arms being bridged by a member 56. A deflecting plate 57 on this member 5fi will engage a bale if it is tipped upward and turn it flat upon the ground.