Self-aligning apparatus and methods for gathering bales

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018317391-A1
Application number	US-201816033868-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 12, 2018
Priority date	Jun 28, 2012
Publication date	Nov 8, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

Apparatus for gathering bales that aligns itself during bale pick-up. Methods for transferring bales that use such an apparatus are also provided.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An apparatus for gathering bales from a surface, the apparatus comprising:
a loading assembly for lifting a bale off the surface and onto the apparatus, the loading assembly including a first arm and a second arm which are configured to be the first portion of the apparatus to contact the bale during loading; a forward-looking sensor mounted on the apparatus to sense the bale prior to the apparatus contacting the bale, the sensor being a laser, camera or an acoustic sensor; and a control system configured to adjust the position of the apparatus, wherein the control system includes the forward-looking sensor.

2 . The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the sensor is a laser.

3 . The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a chassis and a tongue pivotally connected to the chassis for connecting to a pull vehicle.

4 . The apparatus as set forth in claim 3 in combination with a pull vehicle.

5 . The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the apparatus does not include a pull vehicle.

6 . The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first and second arms comprise rubber, PVC or a thermoplastic polymer to grasp the bale upon rotation.

7 . The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein:
the first arm comprises a first conveyor, the first conveyor comprising a first roller; and
the second arm comprises a second conveyor, the second conveyor comprising a second roller.

8 . The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the forward-looking sensor is configured to sense an edge of the bale when the apparatus is in a loading position.

9 . A method for pick-up of a bale resting on a surface by use of an apparatus, the apparatus comprising a loading assembly for lifting a bale off the surface and onto the apparatus, the loading assembly comprising a first arm and a second arm, the method comprising:
propelling the apparatus toward a bale; sensing a bale with a forward-looking sensor prior to the apparatus contacting the bale, wherein the forward-looking senor forms part of a control system for adjusting the position of the apparatus; adjusting the position of the apparatus; and using the first and second arms to load the sensed bale on the apparatus, the first and second arms each contacting a bale to lift the bale onto the apparatus.

10 . The method as set forth in claim 9 wherein the sensor is a laser.

11 . The method as set forth claim 9 wherein the apparatus is attached to a pull vehicle for propelling the apparatus toward a bale.

12 . The method as set forth in claim 9 wherein:
the first arm comprises a first conveyor, the first conveyor comprising a first roller; and
the second arm comprises a second conveyor, the second conveyor comprising a second roller.

13 . The method as set forth in claim 9 wherein the control system adjusts the position of the apparatus to a loading position.

14 . The method as set forth in claim 9 wherein the control system determines the position of the loading assembly relative to a bale.

15 . The method as set forth in claim 9 wherein the forward-looking sensor senses the edge of the bale.

Assignees

• Vermeer Mfg Co

Inventors

• Bentzinger Rustin Van
• Thompson Kent
• Dux Darin

Classifications

• A01D90/083 Primary

  Round-bale trailers (trailers in general B62D) · CPC title

• A01D90/12

  with additional devices or implements (arrangements of coupling devices A01B59/00) · CPC title

• G05D1/02

  Control of position or course in two dimensions · CPC title

• A01D41/1278

  for automatic steering · CPC title

• A01B69/001

  Steering by means of optical assistance, e.g. television cameras (steering devices for road marking vehicles E01C23/163) · CPC title