Patent Application
20080031714
The present invention will be better understood by reading the Detailed Description of the Preferred and Selected Alternate Embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, in which like reference numerals denote similar structure and refer to like elements throughout, and in which:
In describing the preferred and selected alternate embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in
Referring now to
Referring now more particularly to
Center 70 preferably comprises top rail 72a, bottom rail 72b (best shown in
Back 30 of frame 20 preferably comprises top rail 32a, bottom rail 32b, middle rail 32c, center post 32d, left skid 190, and right skid 200. Front 40 preferably comprises top rail 42a. Back 30 is disposed perpendicular to left side 50, right side 60 and center 70, wherein left side 50, right side 60 and center 70 are fixedly attached to back 30 via welding or the like. Brace 180 and top rail 42a are also welded to left side 50, right side 60 and center 70, and constrain front rails 52c and 62c equidistant from front rail 72c, wherein front rail 42a and brace 180 comprise a top surface of frame 20.
Left separator 80 preferably comprises bottom guide 82b and front post 82c, and right separator 90 preferably comprises bottom guide 92b and front post 92c. Front posts 82c and 92c of left and right separators 80 and 90, respectively, are preferably disposed approximately one bale width aft of front rails 52c, 62c and 72c of left side 50, right side 60, and center 70, respectively.
Left channel portion 100 preferably comprises first channel 120, second channel 130 and left enclosed entry section 160. Right channel portion 110 preferably comprises third channel 140, fourth channel 150 and right enclosed entry section 170. Left enclosed entry section 160 is defined by ground G (best shown in
Turning now more particularly to
Skid-steer propulsion unit S comprises a motive device known in the art that can pivot/spin in place, thereby permitting a high degree of maneuverability in tight locations.
In use, skid-steer drive or propulsion unit S is preferably removably secured to bale accumulator 10. Bale accumulator 10 is subsequently preferably pushed by skid-steer propulsion unit S across ground G and over bales B, wherein chamfers 54, 64 and 74 permit movement of bale accumulator 10 preferably with a reduction of elimination of damage to ground G. Bale B is preferably collected by bale accumulator 10 (as maneuvered by skid-steer propulsion unit S), wherein bale B preferably selectively enters left enclosed entry section 160 or right enclosed entry section 170, and wherein bale B is preferably subsequently easily captured. Upon entry into either left enclosed entry section 160 or right enclosed entry section 170, bale B's progress is preferably impeded by left front post 82c or right front post 92c, thereby preferably turning bale B and preferably selectively depositing same into one of channels 120, 130, 140 and 150. Upon accumulation of a selected quantity of bales B, bale accumulator 10 is preferably raised by skid-steer propulsion unit S, wherein left skid 190 and right skid 200 preferably make contact with ground G. Upon contact of left skid 190 and right skid 200 with ground G, operator O of skid-steer propulsion unit S knows that bale accumulator 10 has been raised above bales B an adequate distance to facilitate easy removal without disturbing bales B, and skid-steer propulsion unit S preferably subsequently withdraws slightly and pivots away from bales B, preferably leaving bales B disposed on ground G as a collected array for subsequent pick up. Alternately, bales B can continue to be pushed until bale accumulator 10 positions bales B at a collection point. Because of the ability of skid-steer propulsion unit S to pivot, collection of bales B can be performed in very tight areas and with close approach to any obstructions, such as fences or the like.
The foregoing description and drawings comprise illustrative embodiments of the present invention. Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. Merely listing or numbering the steps of a method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of that method. Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Although specific terms may be employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein, but is limited only by the following claims.
