Patent Publication Number: US-11643230-B2

Title: Rotary arm for stretch wrapping machine

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention concerns wrapping machines, and more particularly relates to a rotary arm for a wrapping machine. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     During the past several decades, considerable developments have been made in the field of wrapping a load with a web of film. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An aspect of the present invention is to provide a wrapping machine comprising a base and a wrapping arm connected to the base and configured to be movable relative to the base. The wrapping arm includes a carriage vertically movable on the wrapping arm, with the carriage having a roll of wrap film. The wrapping machine further includes at least one motor for moving the wrapping arm in a substantially circular direction and for moving the carriage vertically on the wrapping arm; the wrapping arm being connected to the base such that the wrapping arm can move in the substantially circular direction about a product to wrap the product with film. The wrapping machine also includes a bumper assembly movable with the wrapping arm. The bumper assembly includes a bumper and an actuator, wherein engagement of the bumper with an external object will actuate the actuator to stop movement of the wrapping arm about the product. 
     Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method of safely wrapping goods comprising providing a wrapping machine including a base and a wrapping arm, with the wrapping arm including a carriage having a roll of wrap film; moving the wrapping arm about a product in a substantially circular direction and moving the carriage vertically to wrap the product with film from the roll of wrap film; moving a bumper assembly with the wrapping arm, the bumper assembly being pivotally connected to a top of the wrapping arm at a pivot connection and including a bumper; and stopping movement of the wrapping arm when the bumper abuts an external object, causing the bumper assembly to pivot about the pivot connection. 
     Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a wrapping machine comprising a base and a wrapping column connected to the base. The wrapping arm includes a carriage vertically movable on the wrapping arm, with the carriage having a roll of wrap film. A motor moves the carriage vertically on the wrapping arm to wrap the product. A link connects the motor and the carriage for moving the carriage on the wrapping arm. The column includes a pair of side tubes connected by a connection tube located between the side tubes, with the pair of side tubes forming a link recess between the side tubes and adjacent the connection tube. The link recess is open opposite the connection tube. Each of the side tubes includes an exteriorly facing slot. The carriage rides on the side tubes along the slot of each of the side tubes. The link moves within the link recess to move the carriage along the column. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a first rear perspective view of a portable wrapping machine of the present invention. 
         FIG.  2    is a second rear perspective view of the portable wrapping machine of the present invention. 
         FIG.  3    is a first front perspective view of the portable wrapping machine of the present invention. 
         FIG.  4    is a second front perspective view of the portable wrapping machine of the present invention. 
         FIG.  5    is a rear view of the portable wrapping machine of the present invention. 
         FIG.  6    is a bottom view of the portable wrapping machine of the present invention. 
         FIG.  7    is a side view of the portable wrapping machine of the present invention illustrating wrapping of goods on a pallet. 
         FIG.  8    is a top view of the portable wrapping machine of the present invention illustrating wrapping of goods on the pallet. 
         FIG.  9    is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a movable stabilizer of the portable wrapping machine of the present invention. 
         FIG.  10    is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a movable stabilizer of the portable wrapping machine of the present invention. 
         FIG.  11    is a front perspective view of a second embodiment of the portable wrapping machine of the present invention. 
         FIG.  12    is a front perspective view of the second embodiment of the portable wrapping machine of the present invention. 
         FIG.  13    is a front perspective view of an end of an inverted L-shaped wrapping arm of the second embodiment of the portable wrapping machine of the present invention with a carriage removed. 
         FIG.  14    is a close-up first partial front perspective view of the end of the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm of the second embodiment of the portable wrapping machine of the present invention. 
         FIG.  15    is a close-up second partial front perspective view of the end of the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm of the second embodiment of the portable wrapping machine of the present invention. 
         FIG.  16    is a cross-sectional view of a vertical support assembly of a vertical portion of the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm of the second embodiment of the portable wrapping machine of the present invention. 
         FIG.  17    is a cross-sectional view of the vertical portion of the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm of the second embodiment of the portable wrapping machine of the present invention. 
         FIG.  18    is a perspective view of a carriage of the second embodiment of the portable wrapping machine of the present invention. 
         FIG.  19    is a close-up partial side perspective view of the end of the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm of the second embodiment of the portable wrapping machine of the present invention. 
         FIG.  20    is a front perspective view of an end of the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm of the second embodiment of the portable wrapping machine of the present invention. 
         FIG.  21    is a front perspective view of a top of a bumper system of the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm of the second embodiment of the portable wrapping machine of the present invention 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as orientated in  FIG.  1   . However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting. 
     The reference number  10  ( FIGS.  1 - 8   ) generally designates a portable wrapping machine of the present invention. The portable wrapping machine  10  is configured to be moved adjacent to a pallet  32  having goods  28  on a top surface thereof to wrap the goods  28  with wrap film  11 . The goods  28  can be a single product (open or boxed) or a plurality of products (open or boxed). The portable wrapping machine  10  is portable to allow the portable wrapping machine  10  to be moved to the pallet  32  with the goods thereon instead of moving the pallet  32  to a stationary wrapping machine. The portable wrapping machine  10  is configured to be movable such that the portable wrapping machine  10  can be moved to the goods  28  and wrap the goods  28  from a top  16  thereof to the floor  30  to thereby allow the pallet  32  under the goods  28  to be wrapped. 
     In the illustrated example, the portable wrapping machine  10  includes a movable base  12  having a wrapping column  14  mounted thereon. The wrapping column  14  includes a post assembly  18 , a cantilevered arm  20  extending from a top of the post assembly  18  and an inverted L-shaped wrapping arm  22  depending downwardly from the cantilevered arm  20 . A carriage  24  rides on the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm  22 . The wrap film  11  is pulled from a roll  26  of wrap film  11  on the carriage  24  to wrap the goods  28  (see  FIGS.  7 - 8   ) while the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm  22  rotates about the goods  28 . 
     In the illustrated example, the movable base  12  allows the portable wrapping machine  10  to be moved to the goods  28  to wrap the goods  28  with the wrap film  11 . The movable base  12  includes a support plate  34  having at least one front wheel  36  and at least one rear wheel  38  connected thereto, with the at least one front wheel  36  and the at least one rear wheel  38  allowing the movable base  12  and thereby the portable wrapping machine  10  to be moved. In the illustrated example, the movable base  12  has a pair of front wheels  36  and a pair of rear wheels  38 . However, it is contemplated that only one rear wheel  38  or only one front wheel  36  could be used or multiple wheels could be used. The support plate  34  is formed of any material that can provide stability to and support every element on the support plate  34 . For example, the support plate  34  can be formed of metal (e.g., solid steel of ⅜-inch or ½-inch thickness) or any other stable material. 
     The illustrated front wheels  36  extend through openings  40  at the front of the support plate  34 . A pair of L-shaped axle supports  42  connected to a top of the support plate  34  straddle each front wheel  36  and a front wheel axle  44  extends though the adjacent front wheel  36  and into the pair of L-shaped axle supports  42  to allow the front wheel  36  to rotate. The front wheel axle  44  is located above a top surface  46  of the support plate  34  to allow the support plate  34  to have a low profile and be located close to the floor  30 . As shown, the front wheel axles  44  are fixed in position relative to the support plate  34  such that the front wheels  36  are not allowed to turn to be able to turn the portable wrapping machine  10 . However, it is contemplated that the front wheels  36  could be configured to turn. Furthermore, the front wheels  36  are configured as passive wheels such that the front wheels  36  do not have their own propulsion system. However, it is contemplated that the front wheels  36  could be powered casters to help move the portable wrapping machine  10 . 
     In the illustrated example, the rear wheels  38  are rotatable to allow the movable base  12  to be turned. As shown in  FIG.  6   , the support plate  34  can have recesses  48  at a rear edge  50  thereof to allow the rear wheels  38  to rotate. While the rear wheels  38  are shown as being located within recesses  48  that extend to the rear edge  50 , it is contemplated that the recesses  48  could be located entirely within the periphery of the support plate  34 . An inverted U-shaped support  52  is located above each recess  48  and the rear wheels  38  are casters connected to a top portion  54  of the inverted U-shaped support  52 . The illustrated rear wheels  38  are free to rotate about a vertical axis connected to the inverted U-shaped support  52  and a horizontal axis of an axle  55  of the caster. While a pair of rear wheels  38  are shown, it is contemplated that a single rear wheel  38  could be used. However, the single rear wheel  38  should be used with a pair of front wheels  36 . Furthermore, the rear wheels  38  are configured as passive wheels such that the rear wheels  38  do not have their own propulsion system. However, it is contemplated that the front wheels  36  could be powered casters to help move the portable wrapping machine  10 . 
     The illustrated portable wrapping machine  10  includes a steering assembly  56  that is used to push and pull the portable wrapping machine  10  as well as turn the rear wheels  38 . The steering assembly  56  includes a steering handle  58 , a connecting post  60 , a bottom transfer plate  62  and a pair of levers  64 . The steering assembly  56  is employed to turn the rear wheels  38  by turning the steering handle  58 , with the rotational motion of the steering handle  58  in turn rotating the connecting post  60  and the bottom transfer plate  62 . The illustrated steering handle  58 , the connecting post  60  and the bottom transfer plate  62  form a solid connection and turn as an integral part. The bottom transfer plate  62  includes a pair of oppositely extending arms  66 , with each of the arms  66  being connected to one of the levers  64 . As the steering handle  58  and thereby the bottom transfer plate  62  rotate, the levers  64  move along a line to push and pull a wheel arm  68  connected to each of the rear wheels  38 . As the bottom transfer plate  62  rotates, the levers  64  push the rear wheels  38  in the same direction, thereby turning the rear wheels  38  and allowing the portable wrapping machine  10  to turn. While a particular system for steering the portable wrapping machine  10  is shown in the drawings, it is contemplated that any system could be employed to turn the rear wheels  38  (and/or the front wheels  36 ) of the portable wrapping machine  10 , including a steer by wire system. 
     In the illustrated example, the movable base  12  is used to bring the wrapping column  14  to the goods  28  for wrapping the goods  28  (and the pallet  32  if desired). The post assembly  18  of the wrapping column  14  is connected to a top of the support plate  34  adjacent a middle portion thereof and in front of the steering assembly  56 . The post assembly  18  includes a pair of spaced parallel vertically extending posts  70 . The posts  70  can have braces (not shown) extending between inside surfaces thereof to provide for extra stability for the post assembly  18 . A pair of angled side struts  74  can extend from outside surfaces of the posts  70  to a rear portion of the movable base  12  for extra stability. A middle cross-member  72  extends between tops of the posts  70 . In the illustrated example, a control panel box  76  can also extend between the posts  70  for further support. The control panel box  76  includes a control panel  78  having buttons and/or switches for controlling the wrapping of the portable wrapping machine  10  and can include a shelf  80  extending from a bottom thereof and a cup holder  82  connected to a side thereof. A U-shaped arm  84  extends rearwardly from the posts  70  and supports a top portion of the connecting post  60  of the steering assembly  56 . A top of the post assembly  18  includes a pair of converging pillars  86  connected to a top of the middle cross-member  72  and a top cross-member  88  connected to tops of the converting pillars  86 . The cantilevered arm  20  extends from a top of the top cross-member  88 . 
     The illustrated cantilevered arm  20  extends sidewardly from the top of the top cross-member  88  of the post assembly  18 . The cantilevered arm  20  of the illustrated embodiment is beam  152  having a rectangular cross-sectional shape. An angled brace  154  (see  FIG.  7   ) can extend between a bottom surface of the beam  152  and a side surface of the top cross-member  88  of the post assembly  18  for added stability. A first motor assembly  156  is connected to the beam  152  of the cantilevered arm  20  at a proximal end thereof and can be powered by a battery and/or a power source from the movable base  12 . The first motor assembly  156  rotates the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm  22 . The first motor assembly  156  rotates a first pulley wheel  162  connected to the first motor assembly  156 . A second pulley wheel  164  is located on top of the beam  152  of the cantilevered arm  20  at a distal end thereof. An endless link  167  surrounds the first pulley wheel  162  and the second pulley wheel  164  such that rotation of the first pulley wheel  162  by the first motor assembly  156  causes the second pulley wheel  164  to rotate. A wrapping axle  166  is connected to the second pulley wheel  164  and rotates with the second pulley wheel  164 . The inverted L-shaped wrapping arm  22  is also connected to the wrapping axle  166  and rotates with the wrapping axle  166 . 
     In the illustrated example, the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm  22  rotates about the goods  28  to wrap the goods  28  with the wrap film  11 . The inverted L-shaped wrapping arm  22  includes a horizontal portion  180  and a vertical portion  182 . The carriage  24  is connected to the vertical portion  182  and is configured to move vertically along the vertical portion  182  of the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm  22 . An inner end of the horizontal portion  180  of the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm  22  is connected to a bottom of the wrapping axle  166  and rotates with the wrapping axle  166 . A second motor assembly  184  is located at a distal end of the horizontal portion  180  of the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm  22 . The second motor assembly  184  includes a motor powered that can be powered by a battery and/or a power source from the movable base  12 . The second motor assembly  184  includes a spool that is rotated by the motor thereof. A cable  190  extending along the vertical portion  182  is configured to be selectively pulled and wrapped onto the spool or unwound from the spool to raise and lower the carriage  24 . Although a particular location of the first motor assembly  156  and the second motor assembly  184  as shown in the drawings for rotating the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm  22  and raising and lowering the carriage  24 , it is contemplated that any system of motors, wheels and/or pulleys could be employed to rotate the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm  22  along with raising and lowering the carriage  24 . 
     The illustrated carriage  24  includes the roll  26  of the wrap film  11  used to wrap the goods  28 . In the illustrated example, the wrap is pre-stretched before being wrapped about the goods  28  using pre-stretch rollers  200  on the carriage. However, it is contemplated that the carriage  24  could pre-stretch the wrap in order to lengthen the wrap in a manner known to those skilled in the art. In the illustrated embodiment, several portions of the portable wrapping machine  10  are shown as not including a cover. For example, the horizontal portion  152 , the pulley wheels  162  and  164 , the endless link  167 , and a portion of a movable stabilizer  500   a  detailed below are shown as being exposed. However, all of those portions of the portable wrapping machine  10  can be covered by covers. 
       FIGS.  7  and  8    illustrate an embodiment of wrapping the goods  28  with the wrap film  11  using the portable wrapping machine  10 . First, the portable wrapping machine  10  is moved to the pallet  32  until a front portion  300  of the base  12  (or an extension from the movable base  12 ) abuts a side surface  302  of the pallet  32 . As shown, no portion of the portable wrapping machine  10  is located under the pallet  32  during this procedure such that the pallet  32  does not need any openings in the side surface  302  thereof for accepting a portion of the portable wrapping machine  10 . At that point, the portable wrapping machine  10  is stabilized. For example, any or all of the wheels of the portable wrapping machine  10  can be locked in position and/or a movable stabilizer (with examples thereof discussed in more detail below) can be deployed. 
     Second, a free end of the wrap film  11  extending from the carriage  24  is positioned on the goods  28  or otherwise held on the goods  28 . Third, the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm  22  is activated to rotate about the goods  28  with the carriage  24  moving up and down along the vertical portion  182  of the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm  22  by being pulled upward by the cable  190  (via the second motor assembly  184 ) and by being allowed to lower through the force of gravity to a selected position by the cable  190  (via the second motor assembly  184 ). The carriage  24  is allowed to move to a position slightly above the floor  30  to be able to position the wrap film  11  about the bottom of the goods  28  and the side surface  302  of the pallet  32 , if desired. The carriage  24  and the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm  22  never need to touch the floor  30  to be able to wrap the bottom of the goods  28  and a top area of the sides of the pallet  32 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  8   , a circle of rotation  306  of the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm  22  forms a periphery of a wrap circle area  308 . At least one front wheel  36  of the movable base  12  of the portable wrapping machine  10  can be located within the wrap circle area  308  when the pallet  32  is viewed from above such as that shown in  FIG.  8   . During the step of encircling the goods  28  on the pallet  32  with the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm  22  to wrap the wrap film  11  around the goods  28 , the wrap film  11  can abut and slide over the front wheels  36  (or a cover for the front wheels  36  that extends upward from the top surface  46  of the movable base  12 ) as the wrap film  11  passes over the front wheels  36 . It is contemplated that the base  12  can include a storage compartment  99  for storing a battery or batteries (rechargeable or not) for powering the wheels  36  and  38 , the first motor assembly  156 , and/or the second motor assembly  184 . It is further contemplated that the first motor assembly  156  and/or the second motor assembly  184  could be powered by a power cord connected to the portable wrapping machine  10  and plugged into a typical power outlet. Other power systems are also contemplated (e.g., induction power). Finally, it is contemplated that the portable wrapping machine  10  could selectively be powered by a battery or directly from an outlet. 
       FIG.  9    illustrates an example of a movable stabilizer  500   a  for maintaining the portable wrapping machine  10  in a set location. The movable stabilizer  500   a  includes a pair of linearly movable feet  502  configured to selectively be lowered to abut the floor  30  to assist in maintaining the portable wrapping machine  10  adjacent the pallet  32 . The movable stabilizer  500   a  includes a lever  504  that rotates a rod  506  having a pair of eccentric actuators  508  that abut against a top  512  of the feet  502 . As the lever  504  is moved to rotate the rod  506 , the eccentric actuators  508  have ears  510  that push and roll on the top  512  of the feet  502  to move the feet downward against the bias of springs  514  that are compressed between a rim  520  of the top  512  of the feet  502  and a top surface  522  of a holder  524  for the feet  502 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the portable wrapping machine  10  includes a C-shaped movement limiting bar  530  that limits movement of the lever  504 . As shown in  FIGS.  7  and  8   , when the lever  504  abuts against a deployment side  532  of the C-shaped movement limiting bar  530 , the feet  502  stay deployed to stabilize the portable wrapping machine  10  because the ears  510  press the top  512  of the feet  502  downward. As shown in  FIG.  6   , the feet  502  extend through apertures  503  in the movable base  12  when in the deployed position. When the lever  504  is rotated in the opposite direction to abut against the stored side  534  of the C-shaped movement limiting bar  530 , the ears  510  no longer press against the top  512  of the feet  502  to allow the feet  502  to move to the stored position. The movable stabilizer  500   a  includes a pair of support flanges  544  connected to the base  12  of the portable wrapping machine  10  holding opposite ends of the rod  506  to allow the rod  506  to rotate above an axis fixed in position relative to the movable base  12  of the portable wrapping machine  10 . The holders  524  for the feet  502  are also connected to the movable base  12  of the portable wrapping machine  10 . 
       FIG.  10    illustrates another example of a movable stabilizer  500   b  for maintaining the portable wrapping machine  10  in a set location. The movable stabilizer  500   b  includes a pair of legs  600  that are deployed outside a periphery of the movable base  12  of the portable wrapping machine  10 . The movable stabilizer  500   b  comprises the legs  600  and a leg actuator  602 . The legs  600  are pivoted to the movable base  12  at pivot flanges  604  located outside of the posts  70 . The legs  600  pivot about the pivot flanges  604  and each include a pad  606  that contacts the floor  30  when the movable stabilizer  500   b  is actuated (as shown in  FIG.  10   ). The leg actuator  602  includes a rotatable handle  610 , a linearly movable link  612 , a connection block  614  and a pair of actuating rods  616 . As the rotatable handle  610  is rotated in a support  618  connected to the top surface  46  of the movable base  12 , the linearly movable link  612  is raised and lowered. The rotatable handle  610  is connected to the linearly movable link  612  in any manner that can transfer rotation movement to linear movement (e.g., a rack and pinion system). As the linearly movable link  612  moves up and down, the connection block  614  connected to the linearly movable link  612  also moves up and down on a vertical support pin  620  extending through a vertical hole in the connection block  614 . The connection block  614  is also rotatably connected to a first end  624  of the actuating rods  616 . As the first end  624  of the actuating rods  616  move upward with the connection block  614 , a second end  626  of the actuating rods  616  connected to the legs  600  force the legs  600  to pivot about the pivot flanges  604  to a stored position. Likewise, when the rotatable handle  610  is rotated in an opposite direction, the link  612  and thereby the connection block  614  move downward, thereby moving the actuating rods  616  downward to force the legs  600  about the pivot flanges  604  to move the legs  600  downward to a deployed position which lifts the rear wheels  38  off of the floor  30  (or at least prevents them from rolling). 
     In the illustrated example, the goods  28  and, if desired, a top portion of the side surface  302  of the pallet  32  can be easily wrapped with wrap film  11  using the portable wrapping machine  10 . The base  12  can be positioned to abut the pallet  32  for easily locating the portable wrapping machine  10  in a proper position relative to the pallet  32 . It is noted that the base  12  abutting the pallet  32  can include the support plate  34  or any element extending from the support plate  34  and fixed in position relative thereto. As the goods  28  are wrapped, the tension from the wrap film  11  being pulled from the roll  26  and about the goods  28  and/or pallet  32  can pull the base  12  toward the pallet  32  to stabilize the portable wrapping machine  10 . It is contemplated that the base  12  could be spaced from the pallet  32  during use and wrapping of the goods  28  as long as the base  12  is held in a stationary position. In such a situation, the front wheel  36  would continue to be located within the wrap circle area  308  and no part of the wrapping machine  10  would be located under the pallet  32 . 
     The reference numeral  10   a  ( FIGS.  11 - 12   ) generally designates another embodiment of the present invention, having a second embodiment for the portable wrapping machine. Since the portable wrapping machine  10   a  is similar to the previously described  10 , similar parts appearing in  FIGS.  1 - 10    and  FIGS.  11 - 21   , respectively, are represented by the same, corresponding reference number, except for the suffix “a” in the numerals of the latter. The second embodiment for the portable wrapping machine  10   a  includes a new inverted L-shaped wrapping arm  22   a  that can be used with either a portable wrapping machine  10   a  as disclosed herein or a stationary wrapping machine that employs an inverted L-shaped wrapping arm. The inverted L-shaped wrapping arm  22   a  includes four features as discussed below: (1) a horizontal portion  180   a , (2) a vertical portion  182   a , (3) a connection system between the carriage  24   a  and the vertical portion  182   a , and (4) a bumper system  400 . 
     In the illustrated example, the horizontal portion  180   a  of the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm  22   a  connects to the relatively stationary portion of the wrapping machine to allow the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm  22   a  to wrap the goods. The horizontal portion  180   a  of the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm  22   a  includes a support beam  200 , a U-shaped cover  202 , an end connection bracket  204 , and a motor and upper sprocket support assembly  206 . The support beam  200  can include any cross-section shape (e.g., rectangular) and provides a cantilever support for the rest of the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm  22   a  from the wrapping column  14   a . The U-shaped cover  202  covers a bottom of the support beam  200  on a proximal end thereof (i.e., the end nearest the wrapping column  14   a ). The U-shaped cover  202  houses any wiring that extends from the wrapping column  14   a  to the rest of the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm  22   a  along the horizontal portion  180   a.    
     The illustrated end connection bracket  204  of the horizontal portion  180   a  is connected to the distal end of the support beam  200 . The end connection bracket  204  includes an inverted U-shaped bracket  208  having a top plate  210  and a pair of downwardly depending side plates  212 . The top plate  210  is fixed to a bottom of the support beam  200 . Each of the side plates  212  is L-shaped and has a proximal vertically shorter side  214  and a distal vertically longer connection side  216 . A cover plate  218  covers the proximal vertically shorter side  214  and covers wiring entering the end connection bracket  204  from within the U-shaped cover  202 . Each of the distal vertically longer connection sides  216  of the side plates  212  have aligned openings therethrough for receiving fasteners  220  for connecting the vertical portion  182   a  to the horizontal portion  180   a . An end plate  222  covers the end of the inverted U-shaped bracket  208  and is connected to the top plate  210  and the distal vertically longer connection sides  216  of each of the side plates  212  of the inverted U-shaped bracket  208 . 
     In the illustrated example, the motor and upper sprocket support assembly  206  supports a second motor assembly  184   a  for moving the carriage  24   a . The motor and upper sprocket support assembly  206  includes a sprocket housing  224  connected to a top surface of the end connection bracket  204  adjacent a distal end of the support beam  200 . The sprocket housing  224  can be substantially a parallelepiped as illustrated in  FIG.  13   , with four of the sides shown in phantom in  FIG.  14    for clarity and to allow the inside of the sprocket housing  224  to be shown. The sprocket housing  224  includes a motor connection wall  226  having the second motor assembly  184   a  (either without or with a right-angle gear box  228 ) connected thereto. A plurality of fasteners  230  connect the second motor assembly  184  to the motor connection wall  226  and an output shaft  232  extends from the second motor assembly  184  through the motor connection wall  226 . It is contemplated that an end of the output shaft  232  could be unsupported or supported on a bearing connected to an interior wall of the sprocket housing  204 . The output shaft  232  has a sprocket  234  thereon. A carriage moving cable  236  (e.g., a chain) surrounds a portion of the sprocket  234  to move with rotation of the sprocket  234  to selectively raise and lower the carriage  24   a  to wrap the product as is well known to those skilled in the art. The carriage moving cable  236  extends along and through the vertical portion  182   a.    
     The illustrated vertical portion  182  of the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm  22   a  supports the carriage  24   a  and the carriage  24   a  moves vertically along the vertical portion  182 . The vertical portion  182  includes a vertical support assembly  238  ( FIG.  16   ) including a pair of side beams  240  having a substantially rectangular cross section and a spacer beam  242  located between the pair of side beams  240 . It is contemplated that the side beams  240  and/or the spacer beam  242  can be formed from an extrusion process (e.g., from aluminum). As shown in  FIG.  16   , the vertical support assembly  238  forms a substantially U-shaped cross-section, having a central chain opening  244 . The carriage moving cable  236  moves through the central chain opening  244 . Each of the side beams  240  includes a carriage support slot  246  having a mushroom shape extending into an exterior surface  248  thereof and another similarly shaped mushroom shaped slot  250  aligned with the carriage support slot  246 . Each of the side beams  240  can also include a center opening  252  and a plurality of through slots  254  to reduce material and weight of the side beams  240 . Each of the side beams  240  have the same shape such that the carriage support slot  246  in a first orientation (e.g., on one side of the spacer beam  242 ) becomes the mushroom shaped slot  250  in a second orientation (e.g., on the other side of the spacer beam  242 ) and the mushroom shaped slot  250  in the first orientation becomes the carriage support slot  246  in the second orientation. 
       FIG.  17    illustrated a bottom area of the vertical support assembly  238 . A side plate  256  covers the exterior surface  248  of each of the side beams  240 . First fasteners  258  extend through the side beams  240  and the spacer beam  242  and second fasteners  260  extend through the side beams  240  and the central chain opening  244 . As shown in  FIG.  17   , a bottom sprocket  262  surrounds a bottom one of the second fasteners  260 , with the carriage moving cable  236  surrounding the bottom sprocket  262 . An alignment wheel (not shown) can surround an upper second fastener to help guide the carriage moving cable  236  about the bottom sprocket  262 . 
     In the illustrated example, the vertical support assembly  238  of the vertical portion  182   a  forms a first portion of a connection system for supporting the carriage  24   a , with the carriage  24   a  (see  FIG.  18   ) including a support  264  as a second portion of the connection system. The support  264  connects directly to the carriage  24   a  and include a U-shaped bracket  266  having a main panel  268  fastened to the carriage  24   a  by fasteners  270  and a pair of parallel side panels  272  extending from opposite edges of the main panel  268 . A plurality of first guide flanges  274  extend from an interior face  276  of the main panel  268  in a central location and parallel to the side panels  272 . Each of the side panels  272  include a pair of slide plates  278  connected to interior faces  280  thereof, with each of the slide plates  278  on a single side panel  272  having co-linear second guide flanges  282  extending substantially in a direction perpendicular to the direction of extent of the first guide flanges  274 . 
     During use, the first guide flanges  274  extend into the central chain opening  244  of the vertical support assembly  238  and the second guide flanges  282  extend into the carriage support openings  244  of the side beams  240  of the vertical support assembly  238 . The first guide flanges  274  and the second guide flanges  282  not only connect the carriage  24   a  to the vertical support assembly  238  but also provide for a linear direction of travel for the carriage  24   a  while the carriage  24   a  is raised and lowered by the carriage moving cable  236  under power of the second motor assembly  184 . As shown in  FIG.  18   , the support  264  of the connection system includes an upper limit switch assembly  284  and a lower limit switch assembly  286  connected to one of the side panels  272  of the U-shaped bracket  266 . The upper limit switch assembly  284  includes an upper wheel  288  that is configured to abut against an upper stop flange  290  (see  FIG.  20   ) connected to an upper area of the vertical support assembly  238 , wherein movement of the upper wheel  288  from contacting the upper stop flange  290  prevents the carriage  24   a  from moving any higher on the vertical support assembly  238 . Likewise, the lower limit switch assembly  286  includes a lower wheel  292  that is configured to abut against a lower stop flange  294  (see  FIG.  29   ) connected to a lower area of the vertical support assembly  238 , wherein movement of the lower wheel  292  from contacting the lower stop flange  294  prevents the carriage  24   a  from moving any lower on the vertical support assembly  238 . 
     The illustrated bumper system  400  ( FIGS.  11 - 15  and  19 - 21   ), when actuated, stops rotation of the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm  22   a  and movement of the carriage  24   a  thereon. The bumper system  400  includes a stationary portion  402  and a movable bumper portion  404 . Rotation of the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm  22   a  and movement of the carriage  24   a  thereon stops when the movable bumper portion  404  moves relative to the stationary portion  402 . 
     In the illustrated example, the stationary portion  402  of the bumper system  400  connects the bumper system  400  to the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm  22   a . The stationary portion  402  ( FIG.  21   ) includes a mounting bracket  406 , a switch assembly  408  and a mounting plate  410  connecting the switch assembly  408  to the mounting bracket  406 , and a pivot connection plate and switch housing  422 . The mounting bracket  406  is connected to the support beam  200  of the horizontal portion  180   a  of the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm  22   a . The mounting bracket  406  can include a panel connected to one of the side plates  212  of the inverted U-shaped bracket  208  of the end connection bracket  204  of the horizontal portion  180   a  as shown in  FIG.  14   . The mounting bracket  406  also includes a vertical cantilever portion  412  extending laterally from the horizontal portion  180   a  and a distal connection portion  414 . The distal connection portion  414  includes a top plate  416  connected to a top edge  418  of the vertical cantilever portion  412  and an end plate  420  connected to an end edge of the vertical cantilever portion  412  and the top plate  416 . The pivot connection plate and switch housing  422  is connected to the distal connection portion  414 . 
     The illustrated pivot connection plate and switch housing  422  houses the switch assembly  408  therein and the mounting plate  410  connects the switch assembly  408  to the U-shaped pivot connection plate and switch housing  422 . The pivot connection plate and switch housing  422  includes an upper U-shaped area  424  and a lower panel  426 . As shown in  FIG.  21   , fasteners  428  extend through the end plate  420  of the distal connection portion  414  and into a central portion  430  of the upper U-shaped area  424  to connect the pivot connection plate and switch housing  422  to the distal connection portion  414 . The mounting plate  410  connects to a side panel  432  of the upper U-shaped area  424  and the switch assembly  408  is connected to the mounting plate  410  in an area adjacent the interior of the upper U-shaped area  424  of the pivot connection plate and switch housing  422 . A contact arm  434  having a contact disc  436  on an end thereof extends from the switch assembly  408 . The contact disc  436  contacts the movable bumper portion  404  of the bumper system  400  such that movement of the movable bumper portion  404  causes movement of the contact disc  436  and contact arm  434  to thereby actuate the switch assembly  408  to stop rotation of the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm  22   a  and movement of the carriage  24   a  thereon. 
     In the illustrated example, the movable bumper portion  404  of the bumper system  400  is connected to the stationary portion  402  and configured to move relatively thereto. The movable bumper portion  404  includes a pivot block  438 , a main beam  440 , a paddle assembly  442  and a bottom support assembly  444 . The pivot block  438  is pivotally connected to the upper U-shaped area  424  of the pivot connection plate and switch housing  422 . The pivot block  438  is configured to be able to pivot about a pivot pin  446  extending through the mounting plate  410  and the vertical cantilever portion  412  as shown in  FIG.  21   . The pivot block  438  can pivot away from the pivot connection plate and switch housing  422 . The pivot block  438  includes a first finger  448  and a bottom of the lower panel  426  of the pivot connection plate and switch housing  422  has a second finger  450 , with a spring  452  connected to the first finger  448  and the second finger  450  to bias the pivot block  438  toward the pivot connection plate and switch housing  422 . 
     The illustrated main beam  440  is connected to the pivot block  438  and supports the paddle assembly  442 . The main beam  440  includes a pair of opposite facing C-shaped vertically extending channels  454 , with each of the channels  454  having opposing vertically extending lips  456  such that the opening of the channels  454  are smaller than the main portion of the channels  454  (see  FIG.  15   ). Fasteners can extend into the channels  454  and the lips  456  maintain the fasteners within the channels  454 . 
     In the illustrated example, the paddle assembly  442  includes a plurality of paddles  458  connected to the main beam  440 . Each of the paddles  458  includes an L-shaped bracket  460  having a first panel  462  connected to the main beam  440  by fasteners  466  extending into the channels  454  of the main beam  440  and a second panel  464  substantially perpendicular to the first panel  462 . A bumper shield plate  468  is connected to the second panel  464  of the L-shaped bracket  460 . The bumper shield plates  468  act as the bumper for abutting items to actuate the bumper system  400 . A support bar  470  can extend along distal free ends of each of the bumper shield plates  468  to provide for a larger bumper area and stability to the paddle assembly  442 . It is contemplated that any number of paddles  458  can be used and that the vertical location, size and shape of the paddles  458  can vary. Moreover, it is contemplated that paddle assembly  442  could be used without the support bar  470 . 
     The illustrated bottom support assembly  444  (see  FIGS.  15  and  19   ) supports a bottom of the movable bumper portion  404  of the bumper system  400 . The bottom support assembly  444  includes a U-shaped fixed bracket  472 , a spring rod  474  and a compression spring  476 . The U-shaped fixed bracket  472  includes a pair of opposite end panels  478  each having an aligned opening  480  (that can include a slide bearing). One of the end panels  478  includes a pair of downwardly facing slots  482 . Fasteners  260  extend through the slots  482  to fixedly connect the U-shaped fixed bracket  472  to the side plate  256  that covers the exterior surface  248  of each of the side beams  240  as shown in  FIGS.  15  and  19   . The spring rod  474  includes a straight area  484  that is allowed to freely slide through the aligned openings  480  in the U-shaped fixed bracket  472 . The spring rod  474  also includes an angled portion  486  that is fixedly connected to the first panel  462  of the L-shaped bracket  460  of the bottom paddle  458  of the paddle assembly  442 . As the movable bumper portion  404  of the bumper system  400  rotates about the pivot pin  446  as outlined above, the spring rod  474  slides through the aligned openings  480 . A compression spring  488  is compressed between the one of the end panels  478  with slots  482  and a collar  490  connected to the spring rod  474  when the movable bumper portion  404  of the bumper system  400  rotates about the pivot pin  446 , with the compression spring  488  biasing the movable bumper portion  404  of the bumper system  400  back to a home position. 
     The illustrated portable wrapping machine  10   a  provides for an easy to manufacture system that allows for stoppage of the system when the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm  22   a  abuts up against an item or person in the way of wrapping a product. 
     The above description is considered that of the one embodiment only. Modification of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the invention. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiment shown in the drawings and described above is merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the invention.