Abstract:
A portable stretch wrapping machine comprising a portable column having wheels for rolling on a surface, a cantilevered arm extending forwardly from a top of the portable column, a rotating arm depending from a distal end of the cantilevered arm, with the rotating arm including a stretch wrap holder with a roll of stretch wrap, wherein the rotating arm is spaced from the surface during wrapping of a product and no part of the portable stretch wrapping machine contacts the surface within any area defined by the area of rotation of the rotating arm, and wherein the portable stretch wrapping machine includes a counter balance extending rearwardly from a bottom of the portable column.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/101 081, filed Jan. 8, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention concerns stretch wrapping machines, and more particularly relates to a portable stretch wrapping machine. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    During the past several decades, considerable developments have been made in the field of wrapping a load with a stretched web of film. Most stretch wrapping machines are stationary. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is a first rear perspective view of a portable stretch wrapping machine of the present invention. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is a second rear perspective view of the portable stretch wrapping machine of the present invention. 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is a first front perspective view of the portable stretch wrapping machine of the present invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  is a second front perspective view of the portable stretch wrapping machine of the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the portable stretch wrapping machine of the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 6  is a rear view of the portable stretch wrapping machine of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 7  is a top view of the portable stretch wrapping machine of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 8  is a bottom view of the portable stretch wrapping machine of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 9  is a side view of the portable stretch wrapping machine of the present invention in a folded position. 
           [0013]      FIG. 10  is a front view of a sensor panel of the portable stretch wrapping machine of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0014]    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. 
         [0015]    The reference number  10  ( FIGS. 1-8 ) generally designates a portable stretch wrapping machine of the present invention. The portable stretch 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 . Stretch wrap  26  is pulled from the carriage  24  to wrap a product  28  (see  FIGS. 5-7 ) while the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm  22  rotates about the product  28 . The portable stretch wrapping machine  10  is configured to be movable such that the portable stretch wrapping machine  10  can be moved to the product  28  and wrap the product  28  from a top  16  thereof to the floor  30  to thereby allow a pallet  32  under the product  28  to be wrapped. 
         [0016]    In the illustrated example, the movable base  12  allows the portable stretch wrapping machine  10  to be moved to the product  28  to wrap the product  28  with the stretch wrap  26 . The movable base  12  includes a support plate  34  supporting the wrapping column  14 , an underframe  36  supporting the support plate  34  and a drive assembly  38  for moving the portable stretch wrapping machine  10 . The support plate  34  is a substantially rectangular panel  40  that is made of material strong enough to support the wrapping column  14 . The support plate  34  can also act as a counterweight to the wrapping column  14  to prevent the portable stretch wrapping machine  10  from becoming unbalanced. For example, the panel  40  can be formed to 0.5 inch thick steel. However, it is contemplated that further counterweights could be positioned on or connected to the panel  40 . In the illustrated example, the panel  40  includes a pair of rear angled sections  42  to reduce weight and to allow the portable stretch wrapping machine  10  to turn easily. 
         [0017]    The illustrated movable base  12  includes the underframe  36  to provide support to the panel  40  of the support plate  34  and to allow the movable base  12  to move. The underframe  36  includes a front beam  46  connected to a bottom surface  48  of the panel  40  of the support plate  34  substantially under the wrapping column  14 . The illustrated front beam  46  has a rectangular cross-sectional shape and extends beyond opposite side edges  50  of the support plate  34 . A side leg  52  extends from each end  54  on the front beam  46 . Each side leg  52  includes an angled beam  56  extending outwardly from the end  54  of the front beam  46  and away from the support plate  34 . Each side leg  52  also includes an extension beam  58  extending from an end of the angled beam  56  opposite to the front beam  46 . In the illustrated example, the extension beam  58  is substantially perpendicular to the front beam  46 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 6  and  7 , a distance between the extension beams  58  is larger than a width of the product  28  and the pallet  32 . Each extension beam  58  includes a roller wheel  60  connected to an end thereof opposite to the angled beam  56 . In the illustrated example, each of the roller wheels  60  is fixed onto the end of the extension beam  58  and has an axis of rotation that is parallel to the front beam  46 . However, it is contemplated that the roller wheels  60  could be able to be rotated about the end of the extension beams  58  about a vertical axis. The underframe  36  further includes a pair of parallel side beams  62  under side edges of the panel  40  of the support plate  34  and a pair of corner beams  64  under the rear angled sections  42  of the panel  40  of the support plate  34 . A guard plate  66  is connected to and extends between the corner beams  64 . The guard plate  66  guards a portion of the drive assembly  38  located under the support plate  34 . 
         [0018]    In the illustrated example, the drive assembly  38  moves and steers the movable base  12 . The drive assembly  38  includes a driven wheel assembly  70  connected to a steering handle assembly  72 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-8 , the drive assembly  38  includes a housing panel  74  connected to the support plate  34 . The housing panel  74  has an inverted U-shape with a pair of side panels  76  with bottom flanges  78  connected to the panel  40  of the support plate  34  in a rear area thereof and a top panel  80  extending between the side panels  76 . The housing panel  74  is located over an opening  82  in the rear of the panel  40  of the support plate  34 . The opening  82  opens at the rear of the panel  40  of the support plate  34  and the guard plate  66  covers the rear of the opening  82  as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . A battery housing  84  is located to the front of the housing panel  74 . The battery housing  84  housing a battery for powering the drive assembly  38  to move the movable base  12  and for powering the wrapping column  14  to wrap the product  28 . 
         [0019]    The illustrated driven wheel assembly  70  is connected to the steering handle assembly  72  through the housing panel  74 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 2, 5, 6, and 8 , the driven wheel assembly  70  includes a wheel  85  that engages the floor  30  to move the movable base  12  along with an axle assembly  86  that engages the wheel  85 . The axle assembly  86  includes an upper support portion  88  located above the wheel  85 , a first fixed axle portion  90  on a first side of the wheel  85  and connected to the upper support portion  88 , and a second fixed axle portion  92  on a second side of the wheel  85 . The first fixed axle portion  90  and the second fixed axle portion  92  engage sides of the wheel  85  and maintain the wheel  85  in position relative to the upper support portion  88 . An axle (not shown) driven by a motor powered by the battery rotates the wheel  85 . The motor rotating the axle is located in the first fixed axle portion  90 . The upper support portion  88  of the axle assembly  86  is connected to a vertical axle  94  (see  FIG. 6 ) that extends through the housing panel  74 . The vertical axle  94  is connected to the steering handle assembly  72  such that rotation of the steering handle assembly  72  about a vertical axis of the vertical axle  94  rotates the driven wheel assembly  70 . 
         [0020]    In the illustrated example, the steering handle assembly  72  actuates the driven wheel assembly  70  and steers the portable stretch wrapping machine  10 . The steering handle assembly  72  includes a handle base panel  96  on top of the top panel  80  of the housing panel  74 . The handle base panel  96  has an inverted U-shape with a pair of side panels  98  with bottom flanges  100  connected to the top panel  80  of the housing panel  74  and a top panel  102  extending between the side panels  98 . The vertical axle  94  is connected to the driven wheel assembly  70 , extends through the top panel  80  of the housing panel  74  and through the top panel  102  of the handle base panel  96 . An upper bearing  104  surrounding the vertical axle  94  is connected to a bottom surface of the top panel  102  of the handle base panel  96  and a lower bearing  106  surrounding the vertical axle  94  is connected to a top surface of the top panel  80  of the housing panel  74 . The upper bearing  104  and the lower bearing  106  maintain the position of the vertical axle  94  relative to the housing panel  74  and the handle base panel  96 . As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , a wheel bearing  108  can be located between the upper support portion  88  of the axle assembly  86  and the bottom surface of the top panel  80  of the housing panel  74  to allow the driven wheel assembly  70  to easily rotate with the vertical axle  94 . 
         [0021]    The illustrated steering handle assembly  72  further includes a handle  110  coupled to the vertical axle  94  for rotating the vertical axle  94 . The handle  110  includes an axle connection plate  112 , a pivot assembly  114 , a post  116  and a grip  118 . The axle connection plate  112  is connected to a top of the vertical axle  94  extending through the top panel  102  of the handle base panel  96 . The axle connection plate  112  is fixed to the vertical axle  94  and rotates therewith. The pivot assembly  114  includes a pair of vertical plates  120  connected to and extending upwardly from the axle connection plate  112 . An inverted U-shaped plate  124  at a bottom end of the post  116  is located between the vertical plates  120  and is pivotally connected thereto by a horizontal axle  122  adjacent a first side of the inverted U-shaped plate  124 . A spring  126  biases a second side of the inverted U-shaped plate  124  upward to maintain the post  116  in a vertical position (via a pivot pin  128  as illustrated in  FIG. 6 ). The post  116  can be lowered about the horizontal axle  122  against the bias of the spring  126  to allow for easy rotation of the steering handle assembly  72  about the vertical axis of the vertical axle  94  to thereby steer the movable base  12  by rotating the vertical axle. The grip  118  is located at the top of the post  116  and allows for easy movement of the handle  110 . The grip  118  includes buttons and/or a lever  131  for moving the wheel  85  in a first direction and/or a second direction for easily moving the movable base  12 . The grip  118  can also include a brake lever  132  for stopping rotation of the wheel  85 . 
         [0022]    In the illustrated example, the movable base  12  is used to bring the wrapping column  14  to the product  28  for wrapping the product  28  (and the pallet  32  if desired). The post assembly  18  of the wrapping column  14  is connected to a top of the panel  40  of the support plate  34  adjacent the front beam  46 . The post assembly  18  includes a pair of spaced parallel vertically extending posts  134 . The posts  134  can have braces  136  extending between side surfaces thereof and the top of the panel  40  of the support plate  34  to provide for extra stability for the post assembly  18 . A folding assembly  138  is connected to the top of the posts  134 . As discussed in more detail below, the folding assembly  138  allows for a top of the wrapping column  14  to be folded to a horizontal position (see  FIG. 9 ). The folding assembly  138  includes a pair of pillars  140  at the top of the posts  134 . Each pillar  140  is connected to one of the posts  134  by a hinge  142 . The folding assembly  138  also includes a lower cross brace  144  extending between a bottom of the pillars  140  and an upper cross brace  146  parallel to the lower cross brace  144  connected to a top of the pillars  140 . A centrally located pole  148  extends upwardly from a top surface of the upper cross brace  146  at a location substantially equally spaced from the pillars  140 . L-shaped braces  150  can be connected to opposite side surfaces of the pole  148  and a top surface of the upper cross brace  146  for added stability. 
         [0023]    The illustrated cantilevered arm  20  extends forwardly from the top of the pole  148  of the folding assembly  138  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  can extend between a bottom surface of the beam  152  and a side surface of the pole  148  of the folding assembly  138  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 distal end thereof opposite the pole  148  of the folding assembly  138  of the post assembly  18 . The first motor assembly  156  is powered by the battery on the movable base  12  and rotates the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm  22 . The first motor assembly  156  includes a motor base  158  having a first motor  160  connected thereto. The first motor  160  rotates a first pulley wheel  162  connected to the motor base  158 . 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  160  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 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the wrapping axle  166  has a first bearing  170  located under the beam  152  of the cantilevered arm  20 , a second bearing  172  located within the beam  152  of the cantilevered arm  20  and a third bearing  174  on top of the beam  152  of the cantilevered arm  20 . The first bearing  170 , the second bearing  172  and the third bearing  174  maintain a position of the wrapping axle  166  on the beam  152  of the cantilevered arm  20 . The cantilevered arm  20  can also include an upper wrapping axle support (not shown) connected to an upper end of the wrapping axle  166  within an axle housing  176  to provide further support for the wrapping axle  166 . 
         [0024]    In the illustrated example, the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm  22  rotates about the product  28  to wrap the product  28  with the stretch wrap  26 . 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 the inner end of the horizontal portion  180  of the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm  22 . The second motor assembly  184  includes a motor  186  powered by the battery on the movable base  12 . The second motor assembly  184  includes a spool  188  that is rotated by the motor  186 . A cable  190  is configured to be selectively pulled and wrapped onto the spool  188  or unwound from the spool  188  to raise and lower the carriage  24 . As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the cable  190  is guided over a first guide wheel  192  connected to a pivot pin  194  connected to a pair of plates  196  extending downwardly from the horizontal portion  180  of the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm  22  adjacent the second motor assembly  184 . The first guide wheel  192  includes a circular channel  198  for locating the cable  190  in a center of the first guide wheel  192  as the cable  190  rolls on the first guide wheel  192 . 
         [0025]    The illustrated inverted L-shaped wrapping arm  22  includes a pair of braces  200  connecting the horizontal portion  180  of the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm  22  to the vertical portion  182  of the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm  22 . A second guide wheel  202  is connected to a pivot pin  204  extending between the braces  200 . The second guide wheel  202  allows the cable  190  to change from a horizontal position along a bottom of the horizontal portion  180  of the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm  22  to a vertical positon along a side of the vertical portion  182  of the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm  22 . A bottom end of the cable  190  is connected to the carriage  24 , which runs vertically along a track of the vertical portion  182  of the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm  22 . 
         [0026]    The illustrated carriage  24  includes a roll of the stretch wrap  26  used to wrap the product  28 . The carriage  24  preferably prestretches the stretch wrap  26  in order to lengthen the stretch wrap  26  in a manner known to those skilled in the art. During use, a free end of the stretch wrap  26  extending from the carriage  24  is positioned on the product  28 . The inverted L-shaped wrapping arm  22  then rotates about the product  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 stretch wrap  26  about the bottom of the product  28  and a portion of the pallet  32 , if desired. Because of the weight of the movable base  12 , 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 product  28  and a portion of the pallet  32 . 
         [0027]    In the illustrated example, the portable stretch wrapping machine  10  is configured to have positioning sensors to allow an operator of the portable stretch wrapping machine  10  to positon the portable stretch wrapping machine  10  adjacent the product  28  and the pallet  32  to allow for the carriage  24  to rotate about the product  28  and the pallet  32  at a position slightly above the floor  30 . Therefore, the pallet  32  and the product  28  must be centrally located about the wrapping axle  166 . The sensors include a pair of first sensors  250  connected to outer sides of the vertically extending posts  134  of the post assembly  18 . As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the first sensors  250  sense a distance of the product  28  from the first sensors  250  along line  252 . It is contemplated that the first sensors  250  could be any sensor that can sense the distance of the product  28  from the first sensors  250  (e.g., ultrasonic sensors). It is contemplated that the grip  118  of the handle  110  could include a panel  244  (see  FIG. 10 ) that includes a first pair of lights  256  and a second pair of lights  258 . The first pair of lights  256  can include a green light  260  that is illuminated when the left first sensor  250  senses that the product  28  is in the proper position for wrapping and a red light  262  that is illuminated when the left first sensor  250  senses that the product  28  is not in the proper position. The second pair of lights  258  can include a green light  264  that is illuminated when the right first sensor  250  senses that the product  28  is in the proper position for wrapping and a red light  266  that is illuminated when the right first sensor  250  senses that the product  28  is not in the proper position. 
         [0028]    The illustrated positioning sensors can also include a pair of second sensors  270  that ensure that the product  28  and the pallet  32  are located between the side legs  52 . The pair of second sensors  270  are located on top of the angled beams  56  of the under frame  36  of the movable base  12 . As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the second sensors  270  sense sides of the product  28  along line  272 . It is contemplated that the second sensors  270  could be any sensor that can sense the product  28  (e.g., ultrasonic sensors). The panel  254  (see  FIG. 10 ) can include a third pair of lights  276  and a fourth pair of lights  278 . The third pair of lights  276  can include a green light  280  that is illuminated when the left second sensor  270  does not sense the product  28  (i.e., that the carriage  24  can pass by the left side of the product  28 ) and a red light  282  that is illuminated when the left second sensor  270  senses the product  28  (such that the carriage  24  would run into the product  28  if there was an attempt to wrap the product  28 ). The fourth pair of lights  278  can include a green light  290  that is illuminated when the right second sensor  270  does not sense the product  28  (i.e., that the carriage  24  can pass by the right side of the product) and a red light  292  that is illuminated when the right second sensor  270  senses the product  28  (such that the carriage  24  would run into the product  28  if there was an attempt to wrap the product  28 ). 
         [0029]    Once all of the green lights are illuminates, a button or switch can be activated to start the wrapping process by revolving the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm  22  about the product  24  and moving the carriage  24  up and down. 
         [0030]      FIG. 9  illustrates the portable stretch wrapping machine  10  in a folded position to allow the portable stretch wrapping machine  10  to be moved through locations with small clearances (e.g., into trailers of semi-trucks). In the folded position, the folding assembly  138 , and thereby the cantilevered arm  20 , the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm  22  and the carriage  24 , are folded about the hinges  142 . The post assembly  18  can have a lock member  1000  extending between each post  134  and pillar  140  to keep the portable stretch wrapping machine  10  in the unfolded position until the lock member  1000  is disengaged, thereby allowing the portable stretch wrapping machine  10  to move to the unfolded position. It is contemplated that the wiring extending through the post assembly  18 , the cantilevered arm  20  and the inverted L-shaped wrapping arm  22  to power the first motor assembly  156  and the second motor assembly  184  could be located within tubing  300  to protect the wiring as the portable stretch wrapping machine  10  is moved between the folded position and the upright position. 
         [0031]    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.