Patent Description:
Bales of hay are a common means and structure to form and store hay for subsequent use in feeding livestock. One common form of such hay bales are known as small rectangular bales which may also be called square bales. Such hay bales are commonly approximately <NUM> by <NUM> by (a variable length but commonly around <NUM> inches (<NUM> × <NUM> × <NUM>) in diameter and have a typical weight of approximately <NUM>-<NUM> pounds (<NUM> to <NUM>). Such bales are warped by <NUM> or more strands of twine to maintain the shape of the bale. Due to the shape and dimensions of such small rectangular hay bales, it is known that they can be stacked in alternating directions so as to improve cohesion between the layers. However, manually lifting such hay bales is known to be time consuming and labor intensive.

Small rectangular bales are easy to stack and store and can be easily lifted by a worker. Mechanical means of stacking such hay bales have been limited and accordingly many users continue to stack such hay bales by hand. In particular, bale wagons as they are commonly known are powered or pulled machines adapted to pick up individual bales of hay from a field and stack them into rows and levels where there are then transported to a barn or the like for storage. One disadvantage of bale wagon is that the hay bales are then all aligned with each other making any resultant storage unstable. If is frequently therefore necessary to reinforce the sides of bales stacked in such a manner so as to prevent falling or spreading of the bales.

Previous attempts have been made to provide a means for lifting hay bales. In particular applicant is aware of <CIT>. The Krizenawski device includes a bale sweep having a frame with a plurality of tines extending therefrom to pick up bales of hay.

The bales of hay are removed from the Krizenawski device by friction with a bale of hay or a surface on which the bales are located. Disadvantageously, such friction may be unreliable to remove the bales from the device thereby requiring operator intervention and may topple the stack when at a stacking height. The Krizenawski device also does not allow free rotation of the tines relative to the frame as each tine includes a spring thereon so as to resist such free rotation. The springs of Krizenawski also limit the amount of movement of the tines due to the spring bottoming out and require the tines to have a substantial width between the bales.

<CIT> discloses a push-pull attachment attachable to forklift vehicles for handling slip-sheeted loads. <CIT> provides a buck rake with means for raising and lowering the same and forcing hay or other material off of the tines. <CIT> relates to a mobile head for use with a self-propelled tractor for sweeping, stacking and unloading baled hay and the like. Another apparatus is disclosed by <CIT>.

According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for stacking hay bales as defined in claim <NUM>. Further embodiments of the invention are defined by the appended claims.

According to the invention, there is disclosed an apparatus for collecting stacking and unstacking hay bales comprising a base frame securable to a motorized vehicle, a plurality of tines pivotally connected to the base frame extending to free distal ends, the tines defining locations therebetween spaced to correspond to a bale of hay and a push bar extending parallel to the base frame and movable between a retracted position proximate to the base frame to an extended position along the plurality of tines to push the hay bales from therebetween.

The apparatus may further comprise a chain drive for moving the push bar between the retracted and extended positions. The chain drive may extend along at least one of the plurality of tines. The chain drive may include a drive sprocket secured to the base frame and a distal sprocket supported by at least one of the plurality of tines with a chain driven therebetween. The push bar may be secured to the chain. The drive sprocket may be rotated by a motor. The motor may be selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a pneumatic motor and a hydraulic motor.

According to the invention each of the plurality of tines is supported by a support member extending from the tine to the base frame at a position above the pivot connection for that tine. The support members are received in bores in the base frame. The support members are slidably received within the bores. Each of the bores may include a spherical bearing therein. The support members include a stop adapted to limit the downward rotation of the plurality of tines below horizontal and permit rotation above horizontal.

The plurality of tines may include a base flange extending away therefrom so as to form a support surface for supporting a hay bale thereon. The push bar may be located above the plurality of tines.

There is also disclosed a method for stacking hay bales comprising passing at least two of a plurality of tines to each side of a hay bale, lifting the hay bale by a platform extending from a base of the plurality of tines and pushing the hay bales off the tines with a pus bar movable from a retracted position adjacent to a base frame supporting the plurality of tines to a positon proximate to the distal end of the plurality of tines.

The accompanying drawings constitute part of the disclosure. Each drawing illustrates exemplary aspects wherein similar characters of reference denote corresponding parts in each view,.

Aspects of the present disclosure are now described with reference to exemplary apparatuses, methods and systems. Referring to <FIG>, an exemplary apparatus for stacking hay bales <NUM> according to a first embodiment is shown generally at <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the apparatus <NUM> may be mounted to a motorized vehicle <NUM>, such as, by way of non-limiting example, a skid steer loader although it will be appreciated that the apparatus <NUM> may be secured to any other vehicle type as well. The apparatus <NUM> comprises a base frame <NUM> having a plurality of tines <NUM> extending therefrom. The tines as spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the width of the hay bales it is intended to pick up. The apparatus further includes a push bar <NUM> located proximate to the base frame at an initial position which is operable to be moved towards the ends of the tines to push bales from between the tines.

The base frame <NUM> may be formed in any shape or configuration as suitable to support the tines as set out below. As illustrated in <FIG>, the base frame <NUM> may include at least top and bottom members, <NUM> and <NUM> wherein the bottom member <NUM> supports the tines <NUM> and the top member <NUM> receives the support rods <NUM>. The top and bottom members <NUM> and <NUM> may be spaced apart by a distance sufficient to position the top ends of the support rods <NUM> above the tines by a distance suitable to provide support thereto. In operation, it has been found that a height of between <NUM> and <NUM> inches (<NUM> and <NUM> mm) has been useful although it will be appreciated that other heights may be useful as well. As illustrated, the base frame may include at least one upright portion <NUM> extending between the top and bottom members <NUM> and <NUM> to maintain them at the desired distance and provide strength to the apparatus. Although a single upright portion <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG>, it will be appreciated that more than one may also be utilized. The upright member <NUM> (<NUM>) may also include mounting means for securing the apparatus <NUM> to the motorized vehicle according to know means and using known connector types.

The base frame <NUM> has a width selected to lift a desired number of bales in rows extending parallel to the longitudinal length of the motorized vehicle <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the apparatus <NUM> has a width selected to lift <NUM> rows although it will be appreciated that other numbers of rows may also be utilized. For an apparatus operable to lift <NUM> rows, the length of the top and bottom members will be sufficient to position <NUM> rows of hay bales along with <NUM> tines therealong. In practice is has been found that a length of at least <NUM> inches (<NUM>mm) has been required for such embodiments where the intended bales of hay have a width of <NUM> inches (<NUM>) wherein the centre to centre spacing of the tines is the nominal width of the bale plus <NUM> inches so as to leave approximately the bale width plus <NUM> inches(<NUM>) between the vertical faces of the tines in the present exemplary embodiment. It will be appreciated that the face to face distance between the tines and the widths of the tines may be adjusted by a user depending on the dimensions of the bales.

The base frame <NUM> includes a front and rear surface, <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively, in which the connection means to the vehicle is located on the rear surface <NUM> and the tines <NUM> extend away from the front surface. It will be observed that the entirety of the tines and push bar and associated components are located within or proximate to the frame and therefore do not extend substantially behind the rear surface <NUM> so as to not be prone to contact or interference with the vehicle.

Turning now to <FIG>, each of the tines <NUM> extend between a proximate and distal end, <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively and top and bottom edges, <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. The tines <NUM> include a bottom flange <NUM> extending from the bottom edge towards each other flange. In particular, the two outside tines are only required to include a flange oriented towards the middle of the apparatus whereas each other tine includes a flange to each side thereof. The flange <NUM> extends from the tine <NUM> by a distance sufficient to support a bale of hay on the pair of opposed flanges whereas the tines <NUM> are spaced apart by a distance selected to receive a bale of hale therein. In practice it has been found that a spacing of <NUM> inches (<NUM>mm) between tines and flange width of approximately <NUM> inches (<NUM>mm) has been useful although it will be appreciated that other dimensions may be useful as well. As illustrated in <FIG>, the tines may be formed by angle bar wherein two angle bars are connected together back to back to form a middle tine although other configurations may be utilized as well. As illustrated in <FIG>, each tine may include an offset bracket <NUM> spaced apart thereform so as to provide a second pivot connection to the bottom member <NUM> thereby increasing lateral stability of the tine about a tine shaft <NUM> supported on the bottom member <NUM>.

The tines <NUM> are pivotally supported adjacent to the proximate end by a pivot connection <NUM>. The pivot connection <NUM> which is supported on a pivot bracket <NUM> extending from the bottom member <NUM>. The distal end <NUM> of each tine is cantilevered away from the bottom member <NUM> with a support rod <NUM> as will be more fully described below to prevent downward rotation thereof. As illustrated in <FIG>, the support rod <NUM> may be pivotally connected directly to the tines at a pivot connection <NUM> or may optionally be connected to a riser <NUM> extending upwards from the tine <NUM> adjacent to the distal end <NUM>. The riser <NUM> spaces the distal pivot connection <NUM> above the tine so as to provide space for the push bar chain assembly as will be more fully described below. As illustrated in <FIG>, the distal end <NUM> of the tine may be angled or profiled to assist the tine to move over and above uneven ground.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the support rods <NUM> extend from the distal pivot connection <NUM> to the top member <NUM>. The top member <NUM> includes a plurality of tabs <NUM> having a bore <NUM> therethrough. The bores <NUM> may include a low friction passage therethrough adapted to permit ease of movement and reduced wear of the support rods <NUM> therethrough such as by way of non-limiting example, spherical bearings or bushings. It will be appreciated that the bores <NUM> may be located through any other portion of the top member <NUM> as well. As illustrated in <FIG>, the bores <NUM> may include a bushing <NUM> or other low friction guide thereto so as to facilitate movement of the support rod <NUM> therethrough. The support rod includes a pin <NUM> such as a cotter pin, lock pin or the like located to the opposite end of the support rod from the distal pivot <NUM> to prevent movement of the support rod <NUM> through the bore <NUM> past the pin. In operation, the pin <NUM> is located on a position along the support rod <NUM> such that when the pin <NUM> engages upon the tab <NUM>, the associated tine <NUM> will be in a horizontal configuration. Upward pressure on the distal end <NUM> of the tine will cause the support rod <NUM> to move through the bore <NUM> so as to move the pin <NUM> away from the tab <NUM>. Once the upward pressure on the distal end <NUM> of the tine is relieved, the support rod <NUM> may then move back through the bore <NUM> to engage the pin <NUM> on the tab <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, one or more of the support rods <NUM> may include an extension <NUM> extending substantially upwards therefrom. The extension <NUM> may be formed of any shape and extend substantially vertical from the support rod <NUM>. The extensions increase the height of the support rod and permit multiple layers of hay bales to be picked up by the apparatus <NUM>.

Turning back to <FIG> and <FIG>, the apparatus includes a push bar <NUM> extending transversely along the apparatus. In an initial position the push bar <NUM> is proximate to and parallel with the top and bottom members <NUM> and <NUM>. The push bar <NUM> may be secured to a chain <NUM> supported on a chain track <NUM> extending along one or more tines <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the track <NUM> is located on two of the tines <NUM> although it will be appreciated that the track <NUM> may also be located along more or fewer tines. The track <NUM> supports a drive sprocket <NUM> near the proximate end <NUM> of the tine and an idler sprocket <NUM> proximate to the distal end <NUM> of the tine having the chain <NUM> extending therebetween. The track also provides an interior therein for the chain <NUM> to return wherein the chain is supported above the track along the top path. The push bar <NUM> is secured to the chain such that rotation of the drive sprocket will rotate the chain <NUM> and thereby move the push bar <NUM> from the initial position illustrated in <FIG> to the final position illustrated in <FIG>. At the final position in <FIG>, any bales of hay will be pushed from between the tines facilitating unloading of the apparatus. Once the bales are removed, the chain may be rotated in the opposite direction to return the push bar to the initial position shown in <FIG>.

The drive sprocket <NUM> may be driven by any rotary motor <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. In particular, the motor <NUM> may comprise an electric, pneumatic or hydraulic motor. In particular where the motor is hydraulic, the hydraulic system of the vehicle <NUM> may be utilized and connected to the apparatus <NUM> for such purpose accordingly to known means. The apparatus may also include flow and pressure control valves as are commonly known in the hydraulic system so as to limit the speed of the push bar <NUM> and stop movement of the chain <NUM> when it reaches each sprocket so as to prevent damage thereto.

The track <NUM> may be supported on the tine <NUM> by first and second brackets <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. The first bracket <NUM> may comprise at least one plate or bracket pivotally supported by the same shaft <NUM> (or co-axial therewith) driving the sprocket such that any rotation of the track will maintain a contestant distance between the drive sprocket <NUM> and the idler sprocket <NUM>. The second bracket <NUM> provides a movable or slidable support on the tine <NUM> adjacent to the distal end <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the second bracket <NUM> may be formed as a plate or the like secured to the tine <NUM> by welding, bolting or any other connection wherein the second bracket <NUM> supports one or more roller or bearing <NUM> extending therefrom. The track <NUM> includes at least a bottom opening <NUM> adapted to surround and captures the rollers <NUM> so as to permit the track to freely move along the tine <NUM> relative to the second bracket <NUM>. The track <NUM> may further include a top passage <NUM> therealong to receive the bottom portion of the chain returning to from the idler sprocket <NUM> to the drive sprocket <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the push bar <NUM> may be secured to the chain <NUM> by bolts or other fasteners passed through the push bar and links of the chain <NUM>.

In operation, a user may operate the vehicle <NUM> so as to pass a bale <NUM> between a pair of tines <NUM> to pick that bale of hay up. Subsequent placements will similarly stack or arrange the bales in as many rows and depts. As the apparatus <NUM> is designed for. While the vehicle <NUM> moves over uneven ground the support rods <NUM> are permitted to move backwards through the bores <NUM> to allow individual tines <NUM> to lift as needed. When the apparatus if full, the vehicle <NUM> may lift the entire apparatus whereby the pins <NUM> in the support rods <NUM> prevent downward rotation of the tines thereby lifting all the bales on the flanges <NUM>. When positioned at the desired location the motor <NUM> turns the drive sprocket to move the push bar towards the distal end of the tines thereby either pushing the bales out from between the tines or permitting the vehicle to back up while leaving the bales behind.

Claim 1:
An apparatus (<NUM>) for stacking hay bales (<NUM>) comprising:
a base frame (<NUM>) securable to a motorized vehicle (<NUM>);
a plurality of tines (<NUM>) pivotally connected to the base frame (<NUM>) extending to free distal ends (<NUM>), the tines (<NUM>) defining locations therebetween spaced to correspond to a bale of hay; and
a push bar (<NUM>) extending parallel to the base frame (<NUM>) and movable between a retracted position proximate to the base frame (<NUM>) to an extended position along the plurality of tines (<NUM>) to push the hay bales (<NUM>) from therebetween,
wherein each of the plurality of tines (<NUM>) are supported by a support member (<NUM>) extending from the tine to the base frame (<NUM>) at a position above the pivot connection (<NUM>) for that tine (<NUM>),
wherein the support members (<NUM>) are slidably received in bores (<NUM>) in the base frame (<NUM>), and
wherein the support members include a stop adapted to limit the downward rotation of the plurality of tines (<NUM>) below horizontal and permit rotation above horizontal.