WO2023209431A1 - Tine locator for straw picking assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to tine locator (500) for a straw picking assembly (200), comprising a first section (502) on bottom of the tine locator (500) and a second section (504) on top of the tine locator (500), such that the first section (502) abuts the outer surface of the tine bar (302), resulting in alignment of the tine locator (500) on the tine bar (302) and restricting rotation of the tine locator (500) about its axis. Further, second section (504) holds the tine coils and receives a portion of the load transferred by the tine (202) during operation of the assembly (200), which helps avoid breakage and increasing life of the tine (202). The tine locator (500) includes a coil separator guide (506) at center, and a side angle tilt arrester wall (508) on left side of the tine locator (500) to restrict angle tilt of the tine (202).

Description

TINE LOCATOR FOR STRAW PICKING ASSEMBLY

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of agricultural equipment. More particularly the present disclosure relates to a tine locator for a straw picking assembly, which ensures proper positioning and angle tilt aligning of tines over the tine bar of the straw picking assembly, and which also provides smooth and noise-free operation and improves the longevity of the tines.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

[0003] Baler machines as shown in FIG. 1 are used for collecting straws or hays or agricultural residues from agricultural fields and converting them into round bales. The bales are then tied using twine or enclosed in a net. The Baler machine includes a straw picking unit or assembly that is the main component of the baler machine used to bail straw, hay or agricultural residues from the field and transfer them to a bailing chamber. Referring to FIG. 2, the existing straw picking assembly consists of a reel that collects straw material from the field. The reel includes a tine bar having multiple tines fitted on equidistant angles as per the size of the straw to be picked up, which can freely rotate on their axis. These tines are made of wires forming a spring-type structure at one end with spokes extending therefrom. Further, a main bracket holds the reel and a guide band. The guide band is a metal sheet having a parabolic structure to wrap the reel leaving the tine spokes to rotate between the guide band. Furthermore, protective spokes are also provided over the main bracket.

[0004] Multiple spring tines are secured directly over the tine bar of the reel using a bolt and nut as shown in FIG. 3, such that the tine spokes can help collect the straws upon rotation of the tine bar about its axis. However, a gap remains in between the coils of the tine and the tine bar of the existing straw picking device as shown in FIG. 4. As a result of this gap, a load acts on tine during the straw pickup process, which exerts a force on the tine, thereby misaligning the tine on the tine bar, leading to breakage of tine due to the sudden load. [0005] Moreover, the existing straw picking assembly fails to provide proper alignment of the tines on the tine bar, as the tine may tilt while mounting the tine on the tine bar and/or during the course of operation. This, may again exert load on the tine and breaks the tine, and may also cause inefficient operation of the straw picking assembly. Besides, this may also cause rubbing of the tines on the guide band causing improper running and noise while operating the bailer machine or straw picking assembly.

[0006] There is, therefore, a need to overcome the above drawback, limitations, and shortcomings associated with the existing straw picking assemblies, and provide a cost- effective, and efficient solution that ensures proper positioning and angle tilt aligning of tines over the tine bar of the straw picking assembly, to provide smooth and noise free operation and improve the longevity of the tines as well as the straw picking assembly.

OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE

[0007] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies are as listed herein below.

[0008] It is an object of the present disclosure to overcome the above drawback, limitations, and shortcomings associated with the existing straw picking assemblies.

[0009] It is an object of the present disclosure to restrict the breakage of tines and guide band during the operation of the straw picking assembly.

[0010] It is an object of the present disclosure to ensure the smooth and noise-free running of the straw picking assembly.

[0011] It is an object of the present disclosure to improve the longevity of the tines as well as the straw picking assembly.

[0012] It is an object of the present disclosure to ensure proper positioning and angle tilt aligning of tines over the tine bar of the straw picking assembly.

[0013] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a compact, robust, cost- effective, and efficient solution that ensures proper positioning and angle tilt aligning of tines over the tine bar of the straw picking assembly, thereby providing smooth and noise-free operation and improving the longevity of the tines as well as the straw picking assembly.

SUMMARY

[0014] The present disclosure relates to a tine locator for a straw picking assembly, which ensures proper positioning and angle tilt aligning of tines over the tine bar of the straw picking assembly, and which also provides smooth and noise free operation and improves longevity of the tines.

[0015] The proposed tine locator may comprise a first section (also referred to as the tine bar align section) having a semi-arc profile configured on the first side (bottom side) of the tine locator and a second section (also referred to as the tine guide support section) also having a semi-arc profile configured on a second side (top side) of the tine locator. The tine bar align section of the tine locator may have the profile based on a profile and size of an outer surface of the tine bar, such that the tine bar align section abuts the outer surface of the tine bar, which results in the alignment of the tine locator on the tine bar and restricting rotation of the tine locator about its own axis. Further, the tine guide support section of the tine locator may have a profile based on the profile and size of the coils of the tine, such that the tine guide support section holds the coils of the tine and receives at least a portion of the load transferred by the time during operation of the straw picking assembly, which helps avoid breakage of the tine and increasing life of the tine.

[0016] The tine locator may further comprise a side angle tilt arrester wall configured on one of the sides (left side) adjacent to the tine guide support section. The side angle tilt arrester wall may be adapted and profiled to restrict the angle tilt of the tine when the tine is placed and locked over the tine bar, as well as during the operation of the straw picking assembly.

[0017] The tine guide support section may have two semi-arc sections separated by a coil separator guide section configured at the center of the tine locator such that the two semiarc profiled sections are configured on each side of the coil separator guide. The coil separator guide may be configured to separate the coils of the tine and remain in contact with the inner wire surfaces of the tine.

[0018] A borehole may extend from the first side to the second side of the tine locator, and the borehole may be adapted to accommodate a fastener such as a hex bolt therewithin, which may facilitate the fastening and locking of the tine locator on the tine bar with the tine. When the bolt is inserted in the borehole of the tine locator, the head of the bolt may rest on a rim on one end of the borehole and a washer and nut may be used to fasten at a threaded tail end of the bolt at another end of the borehole, thereby locking the bolt on the tine locator and the tine bar.

[0019] When the tine is placed over the tine bar, the tine locator is adapted to be inserted on wires of the tine and fastened using the fastener, such that the tine bar align section of the tine locator engages with the tine bar and tine guide support section of the tine locator engages with and holds the coils of the tine, without any gap between the tine and the tine bar. As there is no or minimal gap between the tine and the tine bar, the load acting on tine during the straw pickup process gets efficiently transferred to the tine bar and the tine locator, which reduces force on the tine, thereby restricting misaligning of the tine on the tine bar, and restricting breakage of tine due to the sudden load or cyclic load. Besides, this may also reduce the rubbing of the tines on the guide band, thereby providing smooth and noise- free operation and improving the longevity of the tines as well as the straw picking assembly. [0020] Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a cost-effective, and efficient solution in form of the tine locator that ensures proper positioning and angle tilt aligning of tines over the tine bar of the straw picking assembly, provides smooth and noise-free operation, and improves the longevity of the tines as well as the straw picking assembly [0021] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. The diagrams are for illustration only, which thus is not a limitation of the present disclosure.

[0023] In the figures, similar components and/or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.

[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary view of a conventional bailer machine.

[0025] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary view of a straw pickup assembly of the conventional bailer machine of FIG. 1.

[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary view depicting the positioning of multiple tines on a tine bar in the conventional straw pickup assembly of FIG. 2. [0027] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary view depicting the presence of a gap between the tine and tine bar in the conventional straw pickup assembly of FIGs. 2 and 3.

[0028] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary view of the proposed tine locator, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary view depicting positioning and fastening of a tine on the tine bar using the proposed tine locator and fasteners, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 7 illustrates exemplary steps involved in the positioning and fastening of the tine on the tine bar using the proposed tine locator and fasteners, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary view depicting one tine configured with the tine bar with the proposed tine locator therebetween such that no or minimal gap is present between the tine and the tine bar, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0033] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some

[0034] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a tine locator for a straw picking assembly, which ensures proper positioning and angle tilt aligning of tines over the tine bar of the straw picking assembly, and which also provides smooth and noise-free operation and improves the longevity of the tines.

[0035] According to an aspect, the present disclosure elaborates upon a tine locator for a straw picking assembly. The tine locator can include a first section configured on a first side of the tine locator and adapted to engage with a tine bar of the straw picking assembly, and a second section configured on a second side of the tine locator and adapted to accommodate and engage with coils of a tine associated with the straw picking assembly. When the tine is placed over the tine bar, the tine locator can be adapted to be inserted on wires of the tine such that the first section of the tine locator engages with the tine bar and the second section of the tine locator engages with and holds the coils of the tine.

[0036] In an embodiment, the tine locator can include a side angle tilt arrester wall configured on one of the sides adjacent to the second section of the tine locator. The side angle tilt arrester wall can be adapted to restrict the angle tilt of the tine when the tine is placed and locked over the tine bar, and during the operation of the straw picking assembly.

[0037] In an embodiment, the first section of the tine locator can have a first profile based on a profile and size of an outer surface of the tine bar, such that the first section of the tine locator abuts the outer surface of the tine bar, which can result in the alignment of the tine locator on the tine bar and restricting rotation of the tine locator about its own axis.

[0038] In an embodiment, the first profile of the first section can have a semi-arc profile.

[0039] In an embodiment, the second section of the tine locator can have a second profile based on the profile and size of the coils of the tine, such that the second section of the tine locator holds the coils of the tine and receives at least a portion of the load transferred by the tine during operation of the straw picking assembly, which can help avoid breakage of the tine and increasing life of the tine.

[0040] In an embodiment, the tine locator can include a coil separator guide configured at the center, on the first side, of the tine locator. The coil separator guide can be configured to separate the coils of the tine and remain in contact with the inner wire surfaces of the tine.

[0041] In an embodiment, the second section can include two semi-arc profiled sections configured on each side of the coil separator guide.

[0042] In an embodiment, the tine locator can include a borehole extending from the first side to the second side of the tine locator. The borehole can be adapted to accommodate a fastener therewithin, which can facilitate the fastening and locking of the tine locator on the tine bar with the tine.

[0043] In an embodiment, the fastener can be a bolt. When the bolt is inserted in the borehole of the tine locator, a head of the bolt can rest on a rim on one end of the borehole and a washer and nut can be fastened on a threaded tail end of the bolt on another end of the borehole, which can result in locking of the bolt on the tine locator and the tine bar without any gap therebetween. [0044] In an embodiment, the tine locator can be made of a material selected from a group comprising nylon 66 material, plastic, alloy, polymer, and metal.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 5, the proposed tine locator 500 can include a first section 502 (also referred to as a tine bar align section, herein) configured on a first side (say top side) of the tine locator 500 and adapted to engage with a tine bar 302 of the straw picking assembly 200. The first section 502 of the tine locator 500 has a first profile based on a profile and size of an outer surface of the tine bar 302, such that the first section 502 of the tine locator 500 abuts the outer surface of the tine bar 302, which results in alignment of the tine locator 500 on the tine bar 302 and restricting rotation of the tine locator 500 about its axis. In an exemplary embodiment, the first section 502 can have a semi-arc profile having arc radius and curvature equal to the radius and curvature of the outer surface of the tine bar 302, but not limited to the like.

[0046] Further, the tine locator 500 can include a second section 504 (also referred to as the tine guide support section) configured on a second side (say bottom side) of the tine locator 500 and adapted to accommodate and engage with coils of a tine 202 associated with the straw picking assembly 200. In an exemplary embodiment, the second section 504 can have a semi-arc profile having arc radius and curvature equal to the radius and curvature of the coils of the tine 202, but not limited to the like.

[0047] In an embodiment, the second section 504 can have two semi-arc profiled sections separated by a cut section. Further, the tine locator 500 can include a coil separator guide 506 configured at the center of the tine locator 500, such that the two semi-arc sections 504 are configured on each side of the coil separator guide 506, and the coil separator guide 506 separates the coils of the tine 202 and remains in contact with inner wire surfaces of the tine 202.

[0048] The tine locator 500 can include a borehole 510 extending at a center area of the tine locator 500 from the first side to the second side of the tine locator 500 with a flat surface on the second side. The borehole 510 can be adapted and profiled to accommodate a fastener 602 such as a bolt, and the likes therewithin, which can facilitate fastening and locking of the tine locator 500 on the tine bar 302 with the tine 202.

[0049] The tine locator 500 can include a side angle tilt arrester wall 508 configured on one of the sides adjacent (say left side) to the second section 504 of the tine locator 500. The side angle tilt arrester wall 508 can be adapted and shaped to restrict the angle tilt of the tine 202 when the tine 202 is placed and locked over the tine bar 302, as well as during the operation of the straw picking assembly 200. [0050] In an embodiment, the tine locator 500 can be made of a material selected from a group comprising nylon 66 material, plastic, alloy, polymer, metal, and the like.

[0051] Referring to FIGs, 6 to 8, in an implementation, the tine 202 can be placed over the tine bar 302 and the tine locator 500 can be inserted on wires of the tine 202 such that the first section 502 of the tine locator 500 engages with the tine bar 302 and the second section 504 of the tine locator 500 engages with and rigidly holds the coils of the tine 202, without any gap or with minimal gap between the tine bar 302 and the tine as shown in FIG. 8. Further, bolt 602 can be inserted in the borehole 510 of the tine locator 500, such that the head of the bolt 603 rests on a rim on one end of the borehole 510 (at the second section 504 or tine end). Further, a washer 604 and nut 606 can be fastened on a threaded tail end of the bolt 602 on another end of the borehole 510 (at the first section 502 or tine bar 302 end), to lock the bolt 602 on the tine locator 500 and the tine bar 302 without any gap therebetween.

[0052] Accordingly, due to no or minimal gap between the tine 202 and the tine bar 302, the load acting on tine 202 during the straw pickup process can get efficiently transferred to the tine bar 302 and the tine locator 500, which can reduce the force on the tine 202, thereby restricting misaligning of the tine 202 on the tine bar 302 and restricting breakage of tine 202 due to the sudden load or cyclic load. In addition, this can also reduce the rubbing of the tine 202 on the guide band, thereby providing smooth and noise-free operation and improving the longevity of the tines 202 as well as the straw picking assembly 200.

[0053] Thus, the present invention overcomes the above drawback, limitations, and shortcomings associated with the existing straw picking assemblies of FIG. 1 to 4, and provides a cost-effective, and efficient solution in form of the proposed tine locator that ensures proper positioning and angle tilt aligning of tines over the tine bar of the straw picking assembly, thereby providing smooth and noise-free operation and improving the longevity of the tines as well as the straw picking assembly.

[0054] It is to be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that while various embodiments and drawings of the present disclosure have been elaborated for a single tine and tine locator for the sake of simplicity, however, multiple tine locators can also be used for configuring multiple tines over one or more tine bars associated with straw picking assembly, and all such embodiments are well within the scope of the present disclosure, without any limitations.

[0055] Moreover, in interpreting the specification, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced.

[0056] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0057] The proposed invention overcomes the above drawback, limitations, and shortcomings associated with the existing straw picking assemblies.

[0058] The proposed invention restricts the breakage of tines and guide band during the operation of the straw picking assembly.

[0059] The proposed invention ensures smooth and noise-free running of the straw picking assembly.

[0060] The proposed invention improves the longevity of the tines as well as the straw picking assembly.

[0061] The proposed invention ensures proper positioning and angle tilt aligning of tines over the tine bar of the straw picking assembly.

[0062] The proposed invention provides a compact, robust, cost-effective, and efficient solution in form of the tine locator that ensures proper positioning and angle tilt aligning of tines over the tine bar of the straw picking assembly, thereby providing smooth and noise-free operation and improving the longevity of the tines as well as the straw picking assembly.

Claims

: A tine locator (500) for a straw picking assembly (200), the tine locator (500) comprising: a first section (502) configured on a first side of the tine locator (500) and adapted to engage with a tine bar (302) of the straw picking assembly (200); and a second section (504) configured on a second side of the tine locator (500) and adapted to accommodate and engage with coils of a tine (202) associated with the straw picking assembly (200), wherein when the tine (202) is placed over the tine bar (302), the tine locator (500) is adapted to be inserted on wires of the tine (202) such that the first section (502) of the tine locator (500) engages with the tine bar (302) and the second section (504) of the tine locator (500) engages with and holds the coils of the tine (202). The tine locator (500) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tine locator (500) comprises a side angle tilt arrester wall (508) configured on one of the sides adjacent to the second section (504) of the tine locator (500), wherein the side angle tilt arrester wall (508) is adapted to restrict angle tilt of the tine (202) when the tine (202) is placed and locked over the tine bar (302), and during operation of the straw picking assembly (200). The tine locator (500) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first section (502) of the tine locator (500) has a first profile based on a profile and size of an outer surface of the tine bar (302), such that the first section (502) of the tine locator (500) abuts the outer surface of the tine bar (302), which results in alignment of the tine locator (500) on the tine bar (302) and restricting rotation of the tine locator (500) about its own axis. The tine locator (500) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first profile is a semi-arc profile. The tine locator (500) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second section (504) of the tine locator (500) has a second profile based on a profile and size of the coils of the tine, such that the second section (504) of the tine locator (500) holds the coils of the tine (202) and receives at least a portion of load transferred by the tine (202) during operation of the straw picking assembly (200), which helps avoid breakage of the tine (202) and increasing life of the tine (202).

6. The tine locator (500) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the tine locator (500) comprises a coil separator guide (506) configured at the center, on the first side, of the tine locator (500), wherein the coil separator guide (506) is configured to separate the coils of the tine (202) and remain in contact with inner wire surfaces of the tine (202).

7. The tine locator (500) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second section (504) comprises two semi-arc profiled sections configured on each side of the coil separator guide (506).

8. The tine locator (500) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tine locator (500) comprises a borehole (510) extending from the first side to the second side of the tine locator (500), the borehole (510) adapted to accommodate a fastener (602) therewithin, which facilitates fastening and locking of the tine locator (500) on the tine bar (302) with the tine.

9. The tine locator (500) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fastener (602) is a bolt, wherein when the bolt (602) is inserted in the borehole (510) of the tine locator (500), a head of the bolt (602) rests on a rim on one end of the borehole (510) and a washer (604) and a nut (606) are fastened on a threaded tail end of the bolt (602) on another end of the borehole (510), which results in locking of the bolt (602) on the tine locator (500) and the tine bar (302) without any gap between the tine (202) and the tine bar (302).

10. The tine locator (500) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tine locator (500) is made of a material selected from a group comprising nylon 66 material, plastic, alloy, polymer, and metal.