Patent Description:
Round balers are well known in the art. Such balers pick up a harvested crop and feed the crop into a baling chamber where it is compressed into a cylindrical bale. Before ejecting the formed bale from the baling chamber it is necessary to wrap or bind the formed bale with a binding material, for example film or netwrap. The binding material is typically supplied as a roll of binding material. It will be appreciated that the binding material is a major consumable in the operation of such a baler. Additionally, such rolls of binding material are heavy and cumbersome to manoeuvre. As such, loading such rolls into position onto the baler by an operator such that the binding material can be dispensed into the baling chamber by way of a binding material delivery apparatus is a difficult task that needs to repeated throughout the operation of the baler.

Further an operator may be baling in a number of different fields binding different crop materials such that different binding materials are required to be used. In such a situation, an operator, such as a contractor, may have to switch between netwrap and filmwrap more than once per day.

A number of solutions to this problem have been proposed.

<CIT> (CNH) discloses a binding material storage apparatus comprising a rotary magazine for storage of a plurality of rolls of binding material, the rotary magazine being rotatable about a horizontal axis between a plurality of discrete positions including a dispense position, each discrete position being suitable for storage of a roll of a binding material in which the rotary magazine includes first and second end plates between which a plurality of support elements extend, one support element for each of the plurality of discrete positions.

Another binding material storage apparatus is e.g. known from <CIT>.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a binding material storage apparatus comprises a rotary magazine for storage of a plurality of rolls of binding material, the rotary magazine being rotatable about a horizontal axis between a plurality of discrete positions including a dispense position, each discrete position being suitable for storage of a roll of a binding material in which the rotary magazine includes first and second end plates between which a plurality of support elements extend, one support element for each of the plurality of discrete positions characterised in that each support element is provided at a second end with a clevis joint mounted on a spindle retained within the second end plate of the rotary magazine.

This has as an advantage that the task of management of a plurality of rolls of binding material is made substantially easier. The invention allows "ready to bind storage" of multiple rolls of binding material with very little effort to engage the desired roll of binding material. The device also eases moving away from reloading of a fresh roll of binding material into the storage apparatus each time a roll of binding material is exhausted as multiple full rolls of binding material can be ready for use. In operation, the plurality of rolls of binding material can be multiple rolls of netwrap only or of film wrap only or a mixture of these and other appropriate binding materials.

Preferably, the binding material storage apparatus further comprises first and second side elements between which the rotary magazine is supported.

Preferably, each support element is mounted for free rotation in the magazine.

Preferably, each support element comprises a bar and an end housing, a first end of the bar being mounted for free rotation with respect to the end housing.

Preferably, the rotary magazine further comprises a latching mechanism releasably to retain the end housing to a first side plate of the rotary magazine.

Preferably, each spindle is provided with a gear mounted to the outside of the second end plate of the magazine.

Preferably, each of the support elements is provided with a first adjustable locating element. More preferably, each of the support elements is also provided with a second adjustable locating element.

Preferably, the rotary magazine is provided with a drive mechanism to selectively rotate the magazine between the discrete positions. This has as an advantage that stored rolls of binding material may be brought into the dispense position.

Preferably, the drive mechanism comprises a first larger gear associated with a main axle of the rotary magazine and a second smaller drive gear associated with the second side element.

Preferably, the drive mechanism is manually operated.

Preferably, the second smaller drive gear is associated with a disengagable crank adapted for releasable engagement with the second side element.

Alternatively, the second smaller drive gear is mounted on the second side element and provided with electrically operated drive means.

Preferably, the binding material storage apparatus further includes locking apparatus to allow releaseable engagement of the magazine with at least one of the first and second side elements.

Reference to terms such as longitudinal, transverse and vertical are made with respect to a longitudinal vehicle axis which is parallel to a normal forward direction of travel. As is known in the art, binding refers to the binding of a bale within the baling chamber of a round baler and is distinguished from the binding of a bale outside of the baling chamber for example on a wrapping table of a wrapping apparatus.

With reference to the Figures, a binding material storage apparatus <NUM> in accordance with the present invention is shown. The binding material storage apparatus <NUM> is provided with a support structure which in turn allows the binding material storage apparatus to be connected to a frame <NUM> of a baler (<FIG>). The support structure comprises side elements <NUM>,<NUM> connected by a cross beam <NUM>. Lower portions of each of the side elements <NUM>,<NUM> allow mounting of the support structure to the frame <NUM> of the baler in any suitable manner. Upper portions of each of the side elements <NUM>,<NUM> support the ends of the binding material storage apparatus as described below.

In the apparatus of the illustrated embodiment, up to three rolls of binding material <NUM> may be stored.

The binding material storage apparatus comprises a magazine located between the side elements <NUM>,<NUM>. The magazine includes first and second end plates <NUM>,<NUM>. A plurality of support elements <NUM> extend between the end plates <NUM>,<NUM>. Each support element <NUM> is pivotally connected at a first end to first end plate <NUM> at a first side of the binding material storage apparatus and releasably connected at a second end to the second end plate <NUM> at the second side of the binding material storage apparatus.

Each support element <NUM> comprises a bar mounted for free rotation at a second end within an end housing <NUM>. The end housing <NUM> is adapted to be received within a latching device <NUM> provided on the inner side of the first end plate <NUM>.

A biased retaining pin <NUM> is mounted to the first side plate <NUM> of the binding material storage apparatus. A free end of the retaining pin <NUM> secures the latching device <NUM> in position on an inner side of the first side plate <NUM>. The latching device <NUM> secures the first end of the support element <NUM> in a working position. By withdrawing the retaining pin <NUM> against the action of the biasing means, the latching device <NUM> is released allowing the first end of the supporting element <NUM> to be moved away from the first side plate <NUM> of the binding material storage apparatus. In practice, this allows the first end of the support element <NUM> to be angled down towards a suitable binding material roll support <NUM> located beneath the binding material storage apparatus.

Towards each end, each support member <NUM> is provided with a number of through bores <NUM>. Where the bar of the support element <NUM> is formed as a tubular member, the though bore conveniently comprises a pair of diametrically aligned through bores (as shown in <FIG>).

An adjustable locating element <NUM> is provided at each end of each support element <NUM>. The adjustable locating element <NUM> comprises a main body portion <NUM> with a keyhole opening or channel allowing the adjustable locating element <NUM> to be passed over and be seated on the support element <NUM>. Conveniently the inner end of the channel is semi-circular to allow proper seating of the adjustable locating element <NUM> on the support element <NUM>. The main body portion <NUM> is provided with parallel lateral elements <NUM>, each provided with a number of through bores <NUM>. These through bores <NUM> are sized and located to be aligned with the bores <NUM> in the support element <NUM>. The adjustable locating element <NUM> further comprises a plurality of circumferentially located fins <NUM>. Each of the fins <NUM> incudes a curved edge arranged to be angled down towards the centre of the binding material storage apparatus when the adjustable locating element <NUM> is in position on the support element <NUM>.

A first end of a clip <NUM> is pivotally attached to a second end of a peg <NUM> and is moveable between a first position in which the clip encircles a portion of a locating element mounted on the support element <NUM> and a second position in which it does not. In use, the peg <NUM> extends through both the adjustable locating element <NUM> and the support element <NUM> to locate the adjustable locating element <NUM> axially with respect to the support element <NUM>.

The second end of the support element is supported at the second side of the binding material storage apparatus by a pivoting joint (<FIG>). A further adjustable locating element <NUM> is fixed in a suitable manner towards the second end of each support element <NUM>. The further adjustable locating element is of similar construction to the first adjustable locating element <NUM> and like reference numerals are used.

The second end plate <NUM> is provided with a plurality of openings. Each opening is provided with an inwardly extending boss <NUM>. For each opening, a central spindle <NUM> is mounted in a suitable bearing. A gear <NUM> is mounted to each central spindle on an outer side of the second end plate <NUM>. An inner end of each spindle <NUM> is provided with a clevis <NUM> for connecting with the second end of the support element by use of a clevis pin. In an alternative embodiment a universal joint may be used to connect the support member <NUM> with the central spindle <NUM>.

The side element <NUM> at the second end of the magazine is provided with an electrically controlled braking gear <NUM>.

The cross beam <NUM> is conveniently provided with a biased lever <NUM>. The biased lever comprises first and second side arms <NUM>. First ends of the side arms are connected by a connecting rod about which a biasing spring <NUM> is mounted. Second ends of the side arms are connected by a plurality of connecting pins on which are mounted rollers <NUM>. The connecting pins are provided in an arcuate arrangement at the second end of the biased lever <NUM>.

A central axle <NUM> extends through the first end plate <NUM> across the binding material storage apparatus <NUM> and through the second end plate <NUM>. Each end of the central axle <NUM> is mounted in a suitable bearing provided in a mounting <NUM> provided at an upper end of each side support <NUM>,<NUM> of the binding material storage apparatus.

A first end of the magazine is provided with a drive mechanism to enable rotation of the magazine. A first end of the central axle <NUM> is provided with a larger gear <NUM> mounted outside of the first side support <NUM>. The first side support <NUM> is further provided with a suitably located mounting aperture.

In the illustrated embodiment of <FIG>, a manual drive mechanism is provided. A releasable handle or crank <NUM> is provided with a smaller drive gear <NUM> mounted at one end about a guide pin or spigot. Conveniently smaller drive gear <NUM> is mounted by way of a clutch or ratchet mechanism to allow one-way movement of the smaller drive gear <NUM> with respect to the rest of the handle <NUM>. In order to rotate the magazine, an operator engages the guide pin within the mounting aperture in the first side support <NUM>. When the guide pin is correctly located in the mounting aperture, a periphery of the smaller gear <NUM> engages with a periphery of the first larger gear <NUM>.

The handle <NUM> is used by an operator to rotate the second smaller drive gear <NUM>, in turn causing rotation of the first larger gear <NUM> and so rotation of the magazine of the binding material storage apparatus <NUM>.

In an alternative embodiment (<FIG>) the second smaller drive gear may be directly mounted to the first side support and provided with electric drive means <NUM>. The electric drive means <NUM>. is in electronic communication with an electronic control unit <NUM>. The electronic control unit has access to a memory unit <NUM>. The memory unit <NUM> may take any suitable form and is in electronic communication with the electronic control unit <NUM>. The memory unit <NUM> is adapted to store, in any suitable manner such as a database or look up table, reference values as may be required. The electronic control unit <NUM> is also in connection with a user terminal <NUM>.

Conveniently the signals between the electronic components are provided by way of a suitable data communication network <NUM> such as one compliant with the ISOBUS standard (a network in conformance to ISO <NUM>).

The electronic control unit <NUM> may conveniently comprise a single processor located on the baler or its functions may be split between a first processor located on the baler and one or more additional processors located on an agricultural vehicle towing the baler, the additional processor(s) being in electronic communication with the first processor. The user terminal <NUM> allows the operator to signal to the electronic control unit <NUM> that rotation of the magazine is required. The electronic control unit <NUM> then operates the electric drive means <NUM> to cause the magazine to rotate.

The drive means allows an operator to rotate the magazine of the binding material storage apparatus around a central axis of rotation to enable selection of preferred roll of binding material <NUM> - for example either to select a different binding material or to replenish an expired roll without the need to retrieve a roll of binding material for loading. Rotation of the magazine also causes the gears <NUM> on the second end to be rotated such that an initial gear <NUM> is disengaged from the electrically controlled braking gear <NUM> and the electrically controlled braking gear <NUM> then becomes engaged with a subsequent gear <NUM>.

Guide elements <NUM> are arranged between the support elements <NUM>. Each guide element <NUM> extends across the binding material storage apparatus <NUM> between the first and second end plates <NUM>,<NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment there are three support elements <NUM> arranged substantially equidistantly from one another, and three guide elements <NUM>, each guide element <NUM> being located between adjacent pairs of support elements <NUM>. In this embodiment the end plates <NUM>,<NUM> are substantially triangular with the support elements <NUM> arranged between the apexes of the end plates <NUM>,<NUM>.

In practice, in order to load a roll of binding material, the first larger locating element <NUM> is removed from the support element <NUM> and the biased retaining pin <NUM> used to release the latching device <NUM> to allow the second end of the support element <NUM> to be released from the second side plate <NUM> of the binding material storage apparatus and allowed to incline at an angle.

Any empty rolls of binding material may then be removed from the support element <NUM>.

Rolls <NUM> of binding material typically comprise a central tube around which has been wound a length of binding material. When the support element <NUM> is released in this way, the second end of the support element <NUM> is angled such that loading of the roll of binding material onto the binding material support <NUM> centres the second end of the support element <NUM> within a tube of a roll of binding material to be loaded. A fresh roll of binding material is then pushed into position along the support element <NUM> such that a first end of the tube of the roll of binding material engages with the fins <NUM> of the second adjustable locating element <NUM> thereby centring the first end of the roll of binding material on the support element <NUM>.

The first adjustable locating element <NUM> is then returned to the second end of the support element <NUM> and pushed into the second end of the roll of binding material. A cross piece <NUM> is added to the open end of the channel (cf <FIG>). The cross piece <NUM> passes over locating pins <NUM> provided on the main body portion <NUM> of the locating element <NUM> and secured in place using a clip <NUM> at each end of the cross piece <NUM>, the clips <NUM> passing through a through opening in each respective locating pin <NUM>. Conveniently the clips <NUM> are tethered to the adjustable locating element <NUM>, in any suitable manner, so that the clips <NUM> do not become lost and are readily to hand for use by an operator.

The second end of the support element <NUM> (together with the roll of binding material) is then raised so that the second end of the support element <NUM> (more specifically the end housing <NUM>) engages in the latch mechanism <NUM> and the second end of the support element <NUM> is once again supported at the second side of the binding material storage apparatus <NUM>.

The central axle <NUM> is provided toward the second end with a radially enlarged region <NUM>. This region is provided with a plurality of blind bores <NUM> arranged axially along the enlarged region <NUM>.

A lever (not shown) is engaged at one end in one of the plurality of blind bores <NUM>. The other end of the lever is rotated to engage an abutment surface <NUM> forming part of a protrusion <NUM> provided on the main body portion <NUM> of the adjustable locating element <NUM>. Further rotation of the lever is used to drive the adjustable locating element <NUM> into the central tube of the roll of binding material and to bring the bores <NUM> in line with the bores <NUM> of the support element <NUM>. The pin <NUM> can then be inserted to hold the adjustable locating element <NUM> in place. The clasp <NUM> attached to the end of the pin <NUM> is then pivoted about the adjustable locating element <NUM> to hold the pin <NUM> in position.

The larger gear <NUM> is provided with a spring biased locking handle <NUM>. The locking handle serves to prevent undesired rotation of the rotary magazine.

In order to load a subsequent roll of binding material, for example a roll of a different binding material, the operator needs to move the biased locking handle from a first position in which movement of the larger gear <NUM> and so the magazine is prevented to second position in which the larger gear may be driven.

In the embodiment of <FIG>, an operator then engages the removeable crank <NUM> is located in position with the first side element <NUM> so that the second smaller gear <NUM> engages the larger gear <NUM>. The spring biased handle <NUM> can then be pivoted to the second position to release the larger gear <NUM>. Rotation of the smaller gear <NUM> then causes the rotation of the binding material storage apparatus <NUM> about the axle <NUM>. Once a further support element <NUM> is adjacent the binding material support <NUM>, the spring biased handle <NUM> is returned to its initial position so that further movement of the larger gear <NUM> is prevented. The handle <NUM> is then removed from the second side element <NUM> and returned to a storage location. The process for loading a roll of binding material to a support element <NUM> may now be repeated.

Where an electric drive for the smaller gear <NUM> is provided, the operator will disengage the larger gear <NUM> using the releasable handle <NUM> before operating the user terminal <NUM> and reengage the larger gear <NUM> once the magazine has been roatated into the desired position. It is desirable that the smaller gear <NUM> is not used as the sole means to prevent movement of the larger gear <NUM> in order not to place undue strain on the drive mechanism of the smaller gear. The user terminal <NUM> is conveniently mounted on the baler to prevent inadvertent operation of the drive means without first moving the locking handle <NUM>.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown) the locking handle <NUM> may be replaced by an electronic locking mechanism operated by the electronic control unit <NUM>.

Once the binding material storage apparatus <NUM> has been loaded with the desired binding material(s), the operator rotates the binding material storage apparatus <NUM> until a desired roll of binding material is in position adjacent a binding material feed apparatus. The operator next removes a free end of the appropriate binding material and loops this over an adjacent guide element <NUM> and then directs the free end of the appropriate binding material into the adjacent binding material feed apparatus.

The second adjustable locating element <NUM> provided at the first end of the support element <NUM> may also be axially adjustable to allow for differing widths of rolls of binding material, for example rolls of binding film are typically of greater width than rolls of netwrap. In such a case the pin <NUM> is removed and the adjustable locating element <NUM> moved along the support element <NUM> to the desired position and the pin <NUM> returned. Conveniently the holes <NUM> in the support element <NUM> are arranged to allow for central positioning on each support element <NUM> of the most common widths of rolls of binding material. In such a case the pin <NUM> is removed and the adjustable locating element <NUM> moved along the support element <NUM> to the desired position and the pin <NUM> returned. Conveniently the holes <NUM> in the support element <NUM> are arranged to allow for central positioning on each support element <NUM> of the most common widths of rolls of binding material.

Claim 1:
A binding material storage apparatus (<NUM>) comprising a rotary magazine for storage of a plurality of rolls of binding material, the rotary magazine being rotatable about a horizontal axis between a plurality of discrete positions including a dispense position, each discrete position being suitable for storage of a roll of a binding material, in which the rotary magazine includes first and second end plates (<NUM>,<NUM>) between which a plurality of support elements (<NUM>) extend, one support element (<NUM>) for each of the plurality of discrete positions characterised in that each support element (<NUM>) is provided at a second end with a clevis joint (<NUM>) mounted on a spindle (<NUM>) retained within the second end plate (<NUM>) of the rotary magazine.