ES2376685B1 - SELF-LOADING MACHINE OF HAY BALES AND PROCEDURE FOR LOADING HAY BALES THAT USE THIS MACHINE. - Google Patents

Abstract

Self-loading machine of hay bales and procedure for loading hay bales that uses said machine. # Includes means (2) for collecting the bales of the ground, a folding platform (3) in which the bullets coming from these are grouped collection means (2) and a dump platform (4) in which the bullets from said folding platform (3) are stored, and is characterized by the fact that it comprises upper retention means of the bullets deposited on the platform ( 4) tipper, including said upper retention means, means (7) for tightening said bullets on the platform (4) tipper, means (9) for lifting said means (7) for tightening to a higher position, said means being operated lifting means (9) on contacting said bullets with the tightening means (7) when they are deposited on the dump platform (4), and return means (8, 10) of said tightening means (7) to a position lower, allowing said means s (8, 10) return the pressure contact of the means (7) for pressing against the bullets, once deposited on the platform (4).

Description

SELF-LOADING MACHINE FOR HAY BALES AND PROCEDURE FOR LOADING HAY BULLETS USING THIS MACHINE

The present invention relates to a self-loading machine 5 of hay bales and a method for loading hay bales using said machine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

10 Self-loading machines with hay bales of the type that are joined and dragged by a tractor are known, which collect the bullets from the ground, store them on a dump platform and finally unload them horizontally on the ground from the rear.

15 On the market there is one such machine in which the bullets are collected from the ground by means of a clamp articulated to a flip platform designed to group the bullets collected from the ground by the clamp. The folding platform is in turn articulated to a

20 side of the front of the dump platform load so that the bullet blanket that is grouped in the folding platform is transferred laterally to the dump platform by a 90 ° turn, it is the turn itself that makes the travel effort

Transversal of other mantles previously deposited on the front of said tipper platform. When the entire width of the front loading part of the tipper platform is full, a mobile car moves to push the blankets of superimposed bullets towards the block.

30 the rear of the dump platform, then moving said carriage back to its initial position waiting for a new load.

The described machine has the disadvantage that, during the loading process, the layers of superimposed bullets 35 deposited on the front of the

Tipper platform can tip over sideways due to the machine swaying as it moves through the field, since there are no lateral support guides on the bullets in this front load.

This risk of overturning occurs mainly when the first and second mantles are positioned in the front, waiting for the last mantle, or when the mantles are moved in block towards the rear, pushed by the mobile car.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The objective of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned drawbacks, developing a self-loading machine of hay bales and a method for loading hay bales that have the advantages described below.

In accordance with this objective, according to a first aspect, the present invention provides a self-loading machine of hay bales, of the type that are joined and dragged by a tractor, which is characterized by the fact that it comprises upper retention means of the bullets deposited on the dump platform, including said upper retention means, means for tightening said bullets on the dump platform, means for lifting said means of tightening to a higher position, said lifting means being actuated upon contacting said bullets with the tightening means when they are deposited on the dump platform, and return means of said tightening means to a lower position, said return means allowing the pressure contact of the tightening means against the bullets, once deposited on the platform.

Thanks to these characteristics, the layers of superimposed bullets deposited in the front of the dump platform are subject during the loading process, so that their lateral overturning is avoided. In this way the machine can work in a very efficient, fast and safe way.

Preferably, said return means comprise an elastic or fluid-dynamic element joined at one of its ends to said clamping means and at another of its ends to a support structure of said tightening means, said elastic or fluid element being susceptible- dynamic of returning said tightening means to their lower position when they stop contacting the bullets.

Again preferably, said lifting means comprise two forks articulated by one of their respective ends to said tightening means and by another of their respective ends to the support structure of said tightening means, said tightening means and said structure forming a mechanism by way of parallelogram, said tightening means being capable of being displaced when said forks oscillate with respect to the structure.

Thanks to these characteristics, a superior bullet retention mechanism is obtained that is very simple, efficient and takes up little space.

According to one embodiment, said tightening means comprise a plate for pressing the bullets arranged transversely on the tipper platform, said plate including a substantially inclined receiving end of the bullets to facilitate the introduction of said bullets.

Advantageously, the machine comprises means for adjusting the height of the support structure of the clamping means to allow the fastening of different sizes of bullets.

Preferably, the support structure of the clamping means is mounted on a carriage capable of moving along the tipper platform.

In this way, the bullet retention means can also act during the block movement of the mantles towards the rear of the dump platform.

According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a method for loading hay bales by means of the claimed machine which is characterized by the fact that it comprises the step of retaining the bale blanket deposited on the front of the dump platform while traveling the machine to collect new bullets from the ground and form new mantles.

This loading procedure has the advantage of

which substantially reduces the risk of lateral overturning of the bullets deposited on the front of the dump platform, particularly during loading waits, when the first and second layers are positioned while waiting for the last one.

Preferably, the upper retention of the mantles is also carried out during the block movement of the mantles towards the rear of the dump platform.

Advantageously, the retention of the mantles is carried out by means of an elastic or dynamic fluid element that allows the press plate to be pressed under pressure against the surface of said mantles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of how much has been exposed, some drawings are attached in which, schematically and only by way of non-limiting example, a practical case of realization is represented.

In these drawings,

Figure 1 shows an overview of a preferred embodiment of the self-loading machine of the present invention, in loading position,

Figure 2 shows an overview of the bullet retention means of the machine of Figure 1,

Figure 3 shows a detail of the bullet retention means of Figure 2 acting on two blankets of bullets deposited on the front of the dump platform,

Figure 4 shows a general view of the machine of Figure 1 with a first blanket of bullets deposited on the dump platform,

Figure 5 shows a general view of the machine of Figure 1 with the mobile car moving a group of blankets in block,

Figure 6 shows a general view of the machine of Figure 1 with the dump platform loaded with bullets in transport position,

Figure 7 shows a general view of the machine of Figure 1 in the unloading position.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Next, a preferred embodiment of the machine 1 of the present invention is described which includes a clamp 2 for the collection of ground bullets, a collapsible platform 3 for grouping two or more bullets collected by the clamp 2 and a platform 4 tipper in the that layers 5 of superimposed bullets are deposited from the folding platform 3. The tipper platform 4 includes lateral support arms 6 of the bullets arranged along the tipper platform 4, with the exception of a section located at the front of the load that is where the folding platform 3 that deposits the mantles 5 is articulated of bullets

As described above, the mantles 5 of bullets that the folding platform 3 deposits on the front of the tipper platform 4 suffer the risk of lateral tipping while the machine 1 is moving, since there are no arms in this front part 6 lateral support. To solve this problem, the machine 1 of the present invention incorporates upper retention means of the bullets deposited on the tipper platform 4.

Figure 2 shows a general view of an embodiment of the upper retention means of the bullets including a transverse plate 7 for tightening the bullets mounted on a support structure 8 by means of forks 9, forming a parallelogram-like mechanism.

Thanks to this mechanism, when a blanket 5 bullets located on the folding platform 3 contacts an end 7a of the clamping plate 7, the set of forks 9 and plate 7 oscillates as a parallelogram to an upper position allowing the introduction of the mantle 5 bullets on the platform 4 tipper.

The clamping plate 7 tends to recover its lower position to contact the bullets under pressure thanks to the presence of springs 10 or fluid-dynamic cylinders joined by one of its ends to said plate 7 and by another of its ends to the structure of 8 for supporting the plate 7. A stop element 11 arranged in the support structure 8 limits the lateral displacement of the plate 7 caused by the return effect of said springs 10 or fluid dynamic cylinders.

As can be seen in detail in Figures 2 and 3, the support structure 8 includes two tubular profiles 12 telescopically connected to two other tubular profiles 13 arranged vertically with respect to the tipper platform 4.

A fluid-dynamic cylinder 14 associated with the structure 8 allows telescopic displacement of the profiles 12 along the profiles 13, so that the height of the support structure 8 can be adjusted to adjust the height of the clamping plate 7 to the different sizes of mantles 5 of bullets.

In the described embodiment, the tubular profiles 13 supporting the support structure 8 of the clamping plate 7 are arranged vertically on the base of a mobile carriage 15 capable of moving through wheels 16 along guides 17 provided on platform 4 tipper. Thanks to this, the bullet retention mechanism can also act while the blankets 5 of bullets are moved longitudinally towards the rear of the machine 1.

Next, the loading process of the machine 1 of the invention which includes the upper load retention mechanism described above is described.

The loading process begins when a bullet enters the clamp 2 from where it is turned to be deposited on the front of the folding platform 3. Next, the folding platform 3 is raised to facilitate that the bullet lowers by gravity, aided by the rollers 18, to the stops 19 provided on the side of the folding platform 3 that is articulated to the tipper platform 4. Next, both the clamp 2 and the folding platform 3 return to their respective loading positions to pick up a new bullet that will occupy the free space of the folding platform 3.

When the folding platform 3 is full of bullets, it is raised by turning 90 ° to laterally deposit a blanket 5 of bullets on the front of the platform 4 tipper. Next, both the clamp 2 and the folding platform 3 recover their respective loading positions to start the loading cycle of a new mantle 5.

During the rotation of the collapsible platform 3 to deposit the blanket 5 of bullets, the upper edge of the mantle 5 contacts the inclined end 7a of the clamping plate 7 of the clamping means of the machine 1, oscillating as a parallelogram the plate 7 itself and the forks 9 to an upper position that allows the blanket 5 of bullets to be deposited on the platform 4 tipper.

Once the mantle 5 contacts the tipper platform 4, the springs 10 or fluid-dynamic cylinders return the clamping plate 7 to a lower active position in which said plate 7 presses the bullets under pressure to retain them on the tipper platform 4. Figure 3 shows a detail of the clamping plate 7 in this active position, retaining two layers of bullets superiorly.

Thanks to the described retention mechanism, the mantles 5 of bullets that are being loaded on the front of the tipper platform 4 are held while the machine 1 is moved to load other mantles 5 (see figure 4). This prevents bullets from tipping sideways due to the balances caused by machine 1 itself when moving through the field.

The mantle loading cycle 5 is repeated until the entire width of the front part of the tipper platform 4 is filled. At this time, the mobile carriage 15 moves the blanks 5 in block towards the rear of the machine 1, traveling a distance equivalent to the length of the bullets and then back to its initial position, waiting for a new load. However, before retreating to said initial position, the fluid-dynamic cylinders 14 lift the support structure 8 of the clamping plate 7 to release the load.

As can be seen in figure 5, when the retention means are mounted on the mobile carriage 15, the block movement of the mantles 5 is carried out securely, holding the bullets, while the machine 1 advances so that the clamp 2 Continue to collect bullets from the ground.

Once the tipper platform 4 is full of mantles 5, the clamp 2 and the folding platform 3 are collected for transport, occupying a very small space in the machine 1 (see figure 6). At this time, the lance 20 that is connected to the tractor through the hitch is once again aligned with the axis of the machine 1 for transport.

Upon reaching the discharge zone, the tipper platform 4 is lifted by means of two fluid dynamic cylinders (not shown) until the necessary inclination for the discharge is achieved. Next, the mobile carriage 15 is operated on which the upper retention means of the bullets are mounted, to move the entire load over the dump platform 4, the bullets being deposited horizontally on the ground by the rear (see figure 7).

Although a specific embodiment of the present invention has been described and represented, it is clear that the person skilled in the art will be able to introduce variants and modifications, or replace the details with other technically equivalent ones, without departing from the scope of protection defined by the claims. attached.

Claims (10)

1. Self-loading machine with hay bales, of the type that are joined and dragged by a tractor, comprising means (2) for collecting the bales of the ground, a folding platform (3) in which the bullets from said collection means (2) and a dump platform (4) in which the bullets from said folding platform (3) are stored, said folding platform (3) being articulated to one side of said platform (4) tipper, the bullets of said folding platform (3) being deposited on the front of said platform (4) tipper when turning said folding platform (3) with respect to said side of the platform (4) tipper, characterized by the fact comprising upper retention means of the bullets deposited on the dump platform (4), including said upper retention means, means (7) for tightening said bullets on the dump platform (4), means

(9)

 for lifting said means (7) for tightening to a higher position, said means (9) being activated when said bullets contact the means (7) for tightening when they are deposited on the platform

(4)

tipper, and return means (8,10) of said means

(7)

 for tightening to a lower position, said means (8.10) allowing the return contact of the pressure means (7) against the bullets, once deposited on the platform (4).

2.

 Machine according to claim 1, wherein said return means comprise an elastic or fluid-dynamic element (10) joined by one of its ends to said tightening means (7) and by another of its ends to a structure (8) for supporting said tightening means (7), said elastic element (10) being susceptible or

fluid-dynamic of returning said means (7) of tightening to their lower position when they stop contacting the bullets.

3.

 Machine according to claim 2, wherein said lifting means comprise two forks (9) articulated by one of their respective ends to said tightening means (7) and by another of their respective ends to the support structure (8) of said means

(7) for tightening, said tightening means (7) and said structure (8) forming a parallelogram mechanism, said tightening means (7) being capable of being displaced when said forks (9) oscillate with respect to the structure (8).

Four.

 Machine according to claim 1, wherein said tightening means comprise a plate (7) for pressing the bullets arranged transversely on the tipper platform (4), said plate (7) including an end (7a) receiving the bullets substantially inclined to facilitate the introduction of said bullets.

5.

Machine according to any of claims 2 to 3, comprising means (12,13,14) for regulating the height of the support structure (8) of the tightening means (7) to allow the fastening of different sizes of bullets .

6.

Machine according to any of claims 2 to 3 and 5, wherein the support structure (8) of the clamping means (7) is mounted on a carriage (15) capable of moving along the platform (4) tipper

7.

Method for loading hay bales by the machine according to any of claims 1 to 6, comprising the steps of;

a) individually collect hay bales from the ground, b) grouping a plurality of bullets from the ground in the folding platform (3), said plurality of bullets determining a blanket (5) of bullets to be deposited on the platform (4) tipper, c) laterally deposit said blanket (5) of bullets on the front of the platform (4) tipper when turning the platform (3) foldable with respect to one side of the platform (4) tipper, characterized by the fact that it comprises the stage of retaining the upper (5) blanket of bullets deposited on the front of the platform (4) tipper while the machine (1) is moved to collect new bullets from the ground and form new mantles (5).

8.

 Method according to claim 7, comprising the step of moving along the platform (4) to tip over the layers (5) of superimposed bullets deposited on the front part of said platform (4), characterized in that said stage of displacement is carried out by retaining said mantles superiorly (5).

9.

Method according to any of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the retention of the mantles (5) is carried out by means of an elastic or fluid-dynamic element (10) which allows the plate (7) to be pressed under pressure. press against the surface of said mantles (5).

SPANISH OFFICE OF THE PATENTS AND BRAND Application no .: 200931132 SPAIN Date of submission of the application: 09.12.2009 Priority Date: REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE 51 Int. Cl.: A01D90 / 08 (2006.01) A01D87 / 12 (2006.01) RELEVANT DOCUMENTS

Category

56 Documents cited Claims Affected

TO

US 2006045657 A1 (PRONOVOST NORMAND et al.) 02.03.2006, paragraphs [1,79,80,94], [97-104]; figures. 1,6,7

TO

EN 2171512 T3 (LEVESQUE JEAN-MARC) 16.09.2002, page 4, line 33 - page 5, line 10; Figures 1,4,6. 1.7

TO

US 4370796 A (WILSON LEON R) 01.02.1983, page 1, line 65 - page 2, line 2; page 4, line 45 - page 3, line 10; Figures 9,10,11. 1,6,7

TO

ES 8207407 A1 (ARCUSIN SA) 16.12.1982, page 4, line 1 - page 5, line 7; figures. one

TO

EN 2335952 A1 (URGELL AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY S A) 06.04.2010, summary; figures. one

TO

US 3278050 A (TARBOX JOHN P) 11.10.1966, page 7, line 45 - page 8, line 25; Figures 1,3,6. one

Category of the documents cited X: of particular relevance Y: of particular relevance combined with other / s of the same category A: reflects the state of the art O: refers to unwritten disclosure P: published between the priority date and the date of priority submission of the application E: previous document, but published after the date of submission of the application

This report has been prepared • for all claims • for claims no:

Date of realization of the report 28.02.2012

Examiner E. Carasatorre Rueda Page 1/4

REPORT OF THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE Application number: 200931132 Minimum documentation sought (classification system followed by classification symbols) A01D Electronic databases consulted during the search (name of the database and, if possible, terms of search used) INVENES, EPODOC State of the Art Report Page 2/4  WRITTEN OPINION Application number: 200931132 Date of Completion of Written Opinion: 02.28.2012  Statement Novelty (Art. 6.1 LP 11/1986) Claims 1-9 YES Claims NO Inventive activity (Art. 8.1 LP11 / 1986) Claims 1-9 YES Claims NO The application is considered to comply with the industrial application requirement. This requirement was evaluated during the formal and technical examination phase of the application (Article 31.2 Law 11/1986). Opinion Base.- This opinion has been made on the basis of the patent application as published. State of the Art Report Page 3/4  WRITTEN OPINION Application number: 200931132 1. Documents considered.- The documents belonging to the state of the art taken into consideration for the realization of this opinion are listed below.

Document

Publication or Identification Number publication date

D01

US 2006045657 A1 (PRONOVOST NORMAND et al.) 02.03.2006

D02

ES 2171512 T3 (LEVESQUE JEAN-MARC) 16.09.2002

D03

US 4370796 A (WILSON LEON R) 01.02.1983

D04

ES 8207407 A1 (ARCUSIN SA) 16.12.1982

D05

ES 2335952 A1 (URGELL AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY S A) 06.04.2010

D06

US 3278050 A (TARBOX JOHN P) 11.10.1966

2. Statement motivated according to articles 29.6 and 29.7 of the Regulations for the execution of Law 11/1986, of March 20, on Patents on novelty and inventive activity; quotes and explanations in support of this statement The patent reason for the report discloses a self-loading machine of hay bales, whose main claim is characterized by the inclusion of upper retention means of the bullets deposited on the dump platform, which include clamping means that can be driven to an upper position by means of lifting means and a lower position by other means of return when the bullets are deposited on the platform, thus preventing the load from tipping over. The invention also comprises another independent claim that discloses the method for loading hay bales whose essence is based on claiming the step of retaining the mantle of bullets deposited on the platform, while moving the machine to collect new bullets from the ground and form New mantles The document also consists of a set of dependent claims where the technical characteristics of the retention device and its execution procedure are qualified. The invention describes a hay bale retention system and a very particular start-up procedure, although numerous documents have been found at the time of making the report on the state of the art, none have been found that gathers all the technical characteristics claimed in its main claims. Therefore all the documents that are going to be commented in the search report belong to the state of the art in general. The patent corresponding to document D01, describes a machine for handling bullets and its corresponding method, presents a structure in the form of a self-loading machine similar to that of the patent subject of examination, consists of a movable retention system, provided with lifting means that returns to their return position once the process is finished, and that unlike the main document, consists of upper retention means in the form of pressing hooks, electrohydraulic mechanism, which open and close on the bullets; Once the columns of bullets are formed, they are moved towards the rear of the machine by the action of a vertical thrust structure. The self-loading straw bale trailer disclosed in document D02 corresponds to a bullet loading procedure similar to that claimed in the patent under study, although the bale retention system is different since it consists of a shaped structure of gantry whose horizontal bar entail retention hooks, and is mounted in a tilting manner such that it allows the bullets to pass during loading and retain them to prevent them from falling backwards. Document D03 describes a bullet-collecting wagon, where unlike the main patent, each bullet is stacked by the action of a lifting mechanism and a spike-shaped clamping system, so that once the column is created of bullets the assembly moves towards the rear area of the car, by action of a car-shaped mechanism; These technical characteristics are completely different from the lifting and retention mechanisms and the procedure defined in their main claims. Therefore and given that no prior art document has been found that meets all the technical characteristics defined in the main claims, nor does it seem likely that a person skilled in the art could deduce it in an evident way from the documents selected, the patent report reason can be considered to be new (Article 6 Law 11/1986) and that implies inventive activity (Article 8, Law 11/1986). State of the Art Report Page 4/4