Patent Application
20070277684
There are presently automatic electro/hydraulically driven cardboard compactors that are big in size, high in cost and stationary. Most cardboard recycling situations require a cardboard baler that is easy to use, low in cost, and mobile for the working environment. The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a new cardboard baler that meets these needs.
The broad aspect of the present invention is an apparatus for baling cardboard.
This invention comprises according to a preferred variant an upright metal rack, a cardboard compacting mechanism and a rope tightening mechanism. The steel rack is an upright structure defined by one inclined plane, and three vertical planes. The inclined plane is occupied by two parallel channels facing each other.
Located on the upper end of the rack and fixed perpendicularly to the inclined plane, is a compacting bearing plane. Under the fixed compacting bearing plane and perpendicular to the inclined plane is the movable compacting platform.
Four sliding pins attached to the movable compacting platform slide in the parallel channels.
A winch is located at the upper end of the rack on the center vertical plane. A strap, which serves as a flexible, tension-bearing linkage connects the winch and the movable compacting platform. When the winch is retracted the movable compacting platform moves up towards the compacting bearing plane. When the winch is released, it causes the lower, movable compacting platform to slide downwards away from the compacting bearing plane by its own weight.
The rope tightening mechanism comprises two rope clamps carried by the frame which serve as rope restraining means, a rope retracting shaft and a ratchet gear. The ratchet gear turns the rope retracting shaft to retract the rope for tying. The rope clamp is used to hold the tightness of the rope while tying the knot.
In the drawings which form a part of this specification,
The cardboard baler shown in the
The rack 10 is up right metal structure that is delimited by one inclined plane 11 and three vertical planes. The three vertical planes are made up of the left plane 12, right plane 13, and rear side plane 14. Located under the rack 10, there are four wheels 16.
The inclined plane 11 is bounded by two slotted steel channels steel 22 parallel to each other. The slots 23 of the channels 22 face each other.
Located on the upper end of the rack and perpendicular vertical to the inclined plane 11, is the compacting bearing plane 25. Under this fixed compacting bearing plane 25 and perpendicular to the inclined plane, is the movable compacting platform 26. Four sliding pins 27 located on the movable compacting platform 26 slide in the slots 23 of the parallel channels 22 guiding the compacting platform 26 as it moves up and down.
A commercially available winch 21 is located at the upper top of the rack 10 at the upper end of the rear side plane 14. The winch 21 and the movable compacting platform 26 are connected by a strap 28. The movable compacting platform 26 is pulled upwardly towards the compacting bearing plane 25 along the inclined plane 11 by the winch's 21 mechanical power and slides down by its own weight.
A rope retracting ratchet gear 31 turns a rope-retracting shaft 32 that fits in two shaft brackets 33.
A rope toggle clamp 35 is mounted on each outer side of the compacting bearing plane 25. On one side of the toggle clamp 35 towards the rope retracting shaft 32, there is a rope hook pin 37. On the other side of the toggle clamp 35 away from the rope retracting shaft 32, there is a rope guide 38. At the each end of the rope retracting shaft 32, there is a rope retracting roller 36 and a rope locking pin 39.
In bailing process of the cardboard the operator places flatted loose cardboard 40 on the movable compacting platform 26. The operator then turns the handle of the winch 21 to retract the strap 28 pulling up the movable compacting platform 26. This causes the loose cardboard 40 to be formed into the compacted cardboard 50.
To bind the bundle of compacted cardboard 50, the operator uses a length of rope 60 and makes an end loop at the end of it. The operator places the end loop on the rope hook pin 37. The operator then winds the free end of the rope 60 clockwise in
The operator turns the handle of the rope retracting ratchet gear 31 tightening the rope 60 until the rope reaches optimum tightness. Then the operator clamps down the toggle clamp 35 to hold tight the retracted rope 60. The operator then releases the rope locking pin 39 and makes a knot by tying the loose end of the rope and the rope loop together while the rope 60 is held tight by the toggle clamp 35, see
The foregoing has constituted a description of specific embodiments showing how the invention may be applied and put into use. These embodiments are only exemplary. The invention in its broadest, and more specific aspects is further described and defined in the claims which now follow.
These claims, and the language used therein, are to be understood in terms of the variants of the invention which have been described. They are not to be restricted to such variants, but are to be read as covering the full scope of the invention as is implicit within the invention and the disclosure that has been provided herein.
