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Patent 2302217 Summary

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Claims and Abstract availability

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(12) Patent: (11) CA 2302217
(54) English Title: AGRICULTURAL BALE ACCUMULATOR
(54) French Title: DISPOSITIF AGRICOLE DE COLLECTE DE BALLES
Status: Term Expired - Post Grant Beyond Limit
Bibliographic Data
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):
  • A01D 87/12 (2006.01)
  • A01D 85/00 (2006.01)
  • A01D 90/08 (2006.01)
(72) Inventors :
  • SPANIOL, PHILLIP G. (United States of America)
  • SPANIOL, STEPHEN J. (United States of America)
  • KASCHKE, KEVIN D. (United States of America)
(73) Owners :
  • FARM TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
(71) Applicants :
  • FARM TECHNOLOGY L.L.C. (United States of America)
(74) Agent: GOWLING WLG (CANADA) LLP
(74) Associate agent:
(45) Issued: 2009-01-27
(86) PCT Filing Date: 1997-09-02
(87) Open to Public Inspection: 1999-03-11
Examination requested: 2002-08-26
Availability of licence: N/A
Dedicated to the Public: N/A
(25) Language of filing: English

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): Yes
(86) PCT Filing Number: PCT/US1997/015574
(87) International Publication Number: WO 1999011111
(85) National Entry: 2000-03-01

(30) Application Priority Data: None

Abstracts

English Abstract


In a first example, an agricultural bale accumulator comprises a load bed
extension module
including one or more extension tables to be connected to a base module to
permit each extension
table to be moveable between a stowed position and an unstowed position. A
support system
contacts the extension table at a location beyond an attachment mechanism to
support the
extension table when the extension table is in the unstowed position. In a
second example, an
agricultural bale accumulator comprises a load bed adapted to receive bales on
a center load bed,
adapted to alternately transfer the received bales to right and left load beds
using a first push
mechanism, and adapted to discharge the received and transferred bales to the
ground using a
second push mechanism. In a third example, an agricultural bale accumulator
comprises a load
bed adapted to receive bales on a center load bed, adapted to transfer the
received bales to right
and left load beds, and adapted to selectively couple pressurized hydraulic
fluid from a hydraulic
fluid source to first and second hydraulic fluid cylinders to control first
and second accumulator
modules, respectively.


French Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif (100) agricole de collecte de balles qui comprend un module (102) d'extension du lit de chargement. Ce module présente au moins un plateau (104) d'extension relié de manière pivotante à un côté (124) d'un lit (113) de chargement par l'intermédiaire d'une charnière (122), et pouvant être manoeuvré par rapport au lit (113) de chargement entre une position repliée et une position dépliée de collecte de balles et dans laquelle le module est coplanaire au lit (113) de chargement et adjacent au côté (124) du lit (113) de chargement. Un système (130) de support du plateau d'extension est relié à la structure (120) principale et/ou à la table d'extension. Ce système (130) de support du plateau d'extension touche le plateau (104) d'extension en un point situé en dehors du côté (124) de la structure (120) principale et touche la structure (120) principale et/ou la surface du sol (128) de manière à supporter le plateau (104) d'extension directement sur la structure (120) principale et/ou sur le sol (128) respectivement, dans l'axe et/ou en dehors de l'axe (146) de pivotement lorsque le plateau se trouve en position dépliée et que le lit (113) de chargement pivote autour de l'axe (146) de pivotement relativement à la structure (120) principale pour se mettre en position de collecte de balles et/ou de déchargement de balles.

Claims

Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


We Claim:
1. An agricultural bale accumulator comprising:
a base module including:
a load bed which is substantially planar for receiving a plurality of bales
along a first axis and accumulating thereon the plurality of bales; and
a main frame for supporting the load bed above a ground surface; and
a load bed extension module including:
a first extension table which is substantially planar;
a first extension table attachment mechanism connected to the first
extension table and the base module to permit the first extension table to be
moveable in a
direction along a second axis transverse to the first axis relative to the
base module
between a stowed position and an unstowed position, wherein the first
extension table is
substantially co-planar with the load bed and adjacent to a first side of the
load bed when
the first extension table is in the unstowed position to permit the first
extension table to
accumulate thereon at least one of the plurality of bales, wherein the
agricultural bale
accumulator has a first lateral width dimension along the second axis and a
first bale
accumulating capacity when the first extension table is in the stowed
position, wherein the
agricultural bale accumulator has a second lateral width dimension along the
second axis
and a second bale accumulating capacity when the first extension table is in
the unstowed
position, wherein the first lateral width dimension is less than the second
lateral width
dimension, and wherein the first bale accumulating capacity is less than the
second bale
accumulating capacity; and
a first extension table support system contacting the first extension table at
a
location beyond the first extension table attachment mechanism to support the
first
extension table when the first extension table is in the unstowed position.
2. The agricultural bale accumulator according to claim 1, wherein the first
extension
table support system contacts the first extension table above a bale receiving
surface of the
first extension table to support the first extension table when the first
extension table is in
the unstowed position.
41

3. The agricultural bale accumulator according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the
first
extension table support system contacts the first extension table below a bale
receiving
surface of the first extension table to support the first extension table when
the first
extension table is in the unstowed position.
4. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
wherein
the first extension table support system is connected to the base module.
5. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
wherein
the first extension table support system is connected to the load bed.
6. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
wherein
the first extension table support system is connected to the main frame.
7. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
wherein
the first extension table support system is connected to the first extension
table.
8. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
wherein
the first extension table support system contacts the base module to support
the first
extension table from the base module when the first extension table is in the
unstowed
position.
9. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
wherein
the first extension table support system contacts the load bed to support the
first extension
table from the load bed when the first extension table is in the unstowed
position.
10. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
wherein
the first extension table support system contacts the main frame to support
the first
extension table from the main frame when the first extension table is in the
unstowed
position.
11. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
wherein
the first extension table support system contacts the ground surface to
support the first
42

extension table from the ground surface when the first extension table is in
the unstowed
position.
12. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
wherein
the first extension table support system further comprises:
a first support wheel connected to the first extension table and moveable with
the
first extension table when the first extension table moves between the stowed
position and
the unstowed position, wherein the first support wheel contacts the ground
surface to
support the first extension table from the ground surface when the first
extension table is in
the unstowed position.
13. The agricultural bale accumulator according to claim 12 further
comprising:
a first wheel and a second wheel coupled to the main frame, wherein the first
wheel
and the second wheel contact the ground surface to support the base module
from the
ground surface and to permit the agricultural bale accumulator to be
transported across the
ground surface, and wherein the first wheel, the second wheel and the first
support wheel
share a common axis of rotation when the first extension table is in the
unstowed position.
14. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 1 to 13,
wherein
the first extension table support system further comprises:
a first frame extension member connected to the first extension table and
moveable
with the first extension table when the first extension table moves between
the stowed
position and the unstowed position, wherein an end surface of the first frame
extension
member contacts an end surface of the base module to support the first
extension table
from the base module when the first extension table is in the unstowed
position.
15. The agricultural bale accumulator according to claim 14:
wherein the end surface the first frame extension member has a downward angle
relative to a horizontal axis when the first extension table is in the
unstowed position,
wherein the end surface on the base module has an upward angle relative to the
horizontal axis which is complementary to the downward angle, and
wherein the end surface the first frame extension member contacts the end
surface
on the base module to translate an upward force through the first frame
extension member
43

to support the first extension table from the base module when the first
extension table is in
the unstowed position.
16. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 1 to 15,
wherein
the first extension table support system further comprises:
a second frame extension member having a first end connected to the base
module
and a second end connected to the first extension table and being moveable
between a
collapsed position and an expanded position, wherein the second frame
extension member
is in one of the collapsed position and the expanded position when the first
extension table
is in the unstowed position, wherein the second frame extension member is in
one of the
expanded position and collapsed position, respectively, when the first
extension table is in
the stowed position, and wherein the second frame extension member is
connected to the
first extension table and the base module to support the first extension table
from the base
module when the first extension table is in the unstowed position.
17. The agricultural bale accumulator according to claim 16, wherein the
second frame
extension member further comprises:
a first hydraulic fluid cylinder for moving the first extension table between
the
stowed position and the unstowed position responsive to receiving pressurized
hydraulic
fluid from a hydraulic fluid source.
18. The agricultural bale accumulator according to claims 16 or 17, wherein
the second
frame extension member further comprises:
at least one spring member, connected to at least one of the base module, the
first
extension table and the second frame extension member, for exerting a bias
force on the
first extension table when the first extension table is moved to at least one
of the stowed
position and the unstowed position.
19. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 1 to 18,
wherein
the first extension table support system further comprises:
a third frame extension member having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein
the proximal end of the third frame extension member is connected to the main
frame,
wherein a distal end of the third frame extension member extends beyond the
main frame
44

in the lateral direction along the second axis at a fixed position which is
located inside the
first lateral width dimension of the agricultural bale accumulator to permit
safe traveling of
the agricultural bale accumulator on a public roadway when the first extension
table is in
the stowed position, and
wherein a first portion of the first extension table is positioned inside the
distal end
of the third frame extension member and a second portion of the first
extension table is
positioned outside the distal end of the third frame extension member when the
first
extension table is in the unstowed position to permit the third frame
extension member to
contact the first extension table between the first portion of the first
extension table and the
second portion of the first extension table to support the first extension
table from the main
frame when the first extension table is in the unstowed position.
20. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 1 to 19,
wherein
the first extension table support system further comprises:
a fourth frame extension member having a proximal end and a distal end; and
a frame attachment mechanism connected to the proximal end of the fourth frame
extension member and the main frame to permit the distal end of the fourth
frame
extension member to be moveable in the lateral direction along the second axis
relative to
the main frame between a stowed position and an unstowed position, wherein the
distal
end of the fourth frame extension member moves towards the main frame when the
fourth
frame extension member is in the stowed position, wherein the distal end of
the fourth
frame extension member moves away from the main frame when the fourth frame
extension member is in the unstowed position, wherein the distal end of the
fourth frame
extension member contacts the first extension table to support the first
extension table
from the main frame when the fourth frame extension member is in the unstowed
position
and when the first extension table is in the unstowed position.
21. The agricultural bale accumulator according to claim 20, wherein the frame
attachment mechanism further comprises:
a pivoting mechanism for pivotally connecting the proximal end of the fourth
frame
extension member to the main frame about a vertical axis relative to the main
frame.

22. The agricultural bale accumulator according to claim 20, wherein the frame
attachment mechanism further comprises:
a telescoping mechanism for telescopically connecting the proximal end of the
fourth frame extension member to the main frame along a horizontal axis
relative to the
main frame.
23. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 20, 21 or
22,
wherein the first extension table support system further comprises:
a first support wheel connected to the distal end of the fourth frame
extension
member and moveable with the fourth frame extension member when the fourth
frame
extension member moves between the stowed position and the unstowed position,
wherein
the first support wheel contacts the ground surface to support the first
extension table from
the ground surface when the fourth frame extension member is in the unstowed
position
and when the first extension table is in the unstowed position.
24. The agricultural bale accumulator according to claim 23:
wherein the first support wheel provides a sole support for a first side of
the base
module from the ground surface to permit the agricultural bale accumulator to
be
transported across the ground surface when the first extension table is in the
stowed
position and when the fourth frame extension member is in the stowed position,
and
wherein the first support wheel provides the sole support for the first side
of the base
module and the first extension table from the ground surface to permit the
agricultural bale
accumulator to be transported across the ground surface when the first
extension table is in
the unstowed position and when the fourth frame extension member is in the
unstowed
position.
25. The agricultural bale accumulator according to claim 23 further
comprising:
a first wheel and a second wheel coupled to the main frame, wherein the first
wheel
and the second wheel contact the ground surface to support the base module
from the
ground surface and to permit the agricultural bale accumulator to be
transported across the
ground surface when the first extension table is in the stowed position and
the unstowed
position, and when the fourth frame extension member is in the stowed position
and the
unstowed position, wherein the first support wheel contacts the ground surface
to support
46

the first extension table from the ground surface when the fourth frame
extension member
is in the unstowed position, and wherein the first wheel, the second wheel and
the first
support wheel share a common axis of rotation when the fourth frame extension
member is
in at least the unstowed position.
26. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 1 to 25,
wherein
the load bed extension module further comprises:
a second extension table which is substantially planar;
a second extension table attachment mechanism connected to the second
extension
table and the base module to permit the second extension table to be moveable
in the
lateral direction along the second axis relative to the base module between a
stowed
position and an unstowed position, wherein the second extension table is
substantially co-
planar with the load bed and adjacent to a second side of the load bed when
the second
extension table is in the unstowed position to permit the second extension
table to
accumulate thereon at least one of the plurality of bales, wherein the
agricultural bale
accumulator has the first lateral width dimension along the second axis and
the first bale
accumulating capacity when the first extension table and the second extension
table are
each in their respective stowed positions, and wherein the agricultural bale
accumulator
has the second lateral width dimension along the second axis and the second
bale
accumulating capacity when the first extension table and the second extension
table are
each in their respective unstowed positions; and
a second extension table support system connected to at least one of the base
module and the second extension table, wherein the second extension table
support system
contacts the second extension table at a location beyond the second extension
table
attachment mechanism at the second side of the load bed and contacts at least
one of the
base module and the ground surface to support the second extension table from
at least one
of the base module and the ground surface, respectively, when the second
extension table
is in the unstowed position,
wherein the second extension table support system has the same dependent
limitations as the first extension table support system according to any one
of claims 2 to
25.
47

27. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 1 to 26,
further
comprising:
a third extension table which is substantially planar;
a third extension table attachment mechanism connected to the third extension
table
and the first extension table to permit the third extension table to be
moveable with the first
extension table relative to the base module when the first extension table
moves between
the stowed position and the unstowed position, wherein the third extension
table is
moveable in the lateral direction along the second axis between a stowed
position and an
unstowed position relative to the first extension table, wherein the third
extension table is
substantially co-planar with the load bed and the first extension table and
adjacent to the
first extension table when the first extension table and the third extension
table are each in
their unstowed positions to permit the third extension table to accumulate
thereon at least
one of the plurality of bales, wherein the agricultural bale accumulator has
the first lateral
width dimension along the second axis and the first bale accumulating capacity
when the
first extension table and the third extension table are each in their
respective stowed
positions, and wherein the agricultural bale accumulator has the second
lateral width
dimension along the second axis and the second bale accumulating capacity when
the first
extension table and the third extension table are each in their respective
unstowed
positions; and
a third extension table support system connected to at least one of the base
module,
the first extension table and the third extension table, wherein the third
extension table
support system contacts the third extension table at a location beyond the
third extension
table attachment mechanism at the first extension table and contacts at least
one of the base
module, the first extension table, and the ground surface to support the third
extension
table from at least one of the base module, the first extension table, and the
ground surface,
respectively, when the first extension table and the third extension table are
each in their
unstowed positions,
wherein the third extension table support system has the same dependent
limitations as the first extension table support system according to any one
of claims 2 to
25.
28. The agricultural bale accumulator according to claim 27:
48

wherein the first extension table attachment mechanism further comprises a
first
hinge for pivotally connecting the first extension table to the base module
about a first
hinge axis,
wherein the third extension table attachment mechanism further comprises a
third
hinge for pivotally connecting the third extension table to the first
extension table about a
third hinge axis,
wherein the first extension table pivots upwards towards the base module about
the
first hinge axis when the first extension table is in the stowed position, and
wherein the third extension table pivots upwards towards the base module and
the
first extension table about the third hinge axis when the third extension
table is in the
stowed position.
29. The agricultural bale accumulator according to claim 27:
wherein the first extension table attachment mechanism further comprises a
first
hinge for pivotally connecting the first extension table to the base module
about a first
hinge axis,
wherein the third extension table attachment mechanism further comprises a
third
hinge for pivotally connecting the third extension table to the first
extension table about a
third hinge axis,
wherein the first extension table pivots upwards towards the base module about
the
first hinge axis when the first extension table is in the stowed position, and
wherein the third extension table pivots downwards towards the base module and
the first extension table about the third hinge axis when the third extension
table is in the
stowed position.
30. The agricultural bale accumulator according to claim 27:
wherein the first extension table attachment mechanism further a first
telescoping
mechanism for telescopically connecting a proximal end of the first extension
table to the
base module in the lateral direction along the second axis relative to the
base module,
wherein the third extension table attachment mechanism further comprises a
first
telescoping mechanism for telescopically connecting a proximal end of the
third extension
table to a distal end of the first extension table in the lateral direction
along the second axis
relative to the base module,
49

wherein the first extension table telescopes along the horizontal axis to a
first
position substantially inside the base module when the first extension table
is in the stowed
position, and wherein the third extension table telescopes along the
horizontal axis to a
first position substantially inside the first extension table when the third
extension table is
in the stowed position, and
wherein the first extension table telescopes along the horizontal axis to a
second
position substantially outside the base module when the first extension table
is in the
unstowed position, and wherein the third extension table telescopes along the
horizontal
axis to a second position substantially outside the first extension table when
the third
extension table is in the unstowed position.
31. The agricultural bale accumulator according to claim 28, 29 or 30:
wherein a top surface of the first extension table is lower than a top surface
of the
load bed by a first predetermined distance when the first extension table is
in the unstowed
position, and
wherein a top surface of the third extension table is lower than the top
surface of
the first extension table by a second predetermined distance when the third
extension table
is in the unstowed position.
32. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 1 to 31,
wherein
the load bed extension module is attachable to and detachable from the base
module
independently of any other module on the agricultural bale accumulator.
33. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 1 to 32,
further
comprising:
at least one bale position sensor for sensing that at least one of the
plurality of bales
is disposed on a bale receiving surface of at least one of the load bed, the
first extension
table, the second extension table, and the third extension table,
respectively.
34. The agricultural bale accumulator according to claim 33, wherein the at
least one
bale position sensor further comprises:
a sensing plate located at the predetermined position along the first axis and
moveable between a first position, at least coplanar with the bale receiving
surface, and a

second position, extending above the bale receiving surface, wherein the
sensing plate is
located in the first position responsive to a bale applying a force on the
sensing plate, and
wherein the sensing plate is located in the second position responsive to a
bale not
applying a force on the sensing plate; and
a switch coupled to the sensing plate, wherein the switch has a first switch
state
responsive to the sensing plate being located in the first position to
generate a first bale
position signal, and wherein the switch has a second switch state responsive
to the sensing
plate being located in the second position to generate a second bale position
signal.
35. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 1 to 34,
wherein
the load bed receives the plurality of bales in a first direction along the
first axis, the
agricultural bale accumulator further comprising:
a bale transfer module operable to transfer the plurality of bales received on
the
load bed across at least one of the load bed, the first extension table, the
second extension
table, and the third extension table in a second direction along the second
axis to
accumulate the plurality of bales on at least one of the load bed, the first
extension table,
the second extension table, and the third extension table, respectively, in a
side-by-side
relationship when at least one of the first extension table, the second
extension table, and
the third extension table, respectively, is in the unstowed position.
36. The agricultural bale accumulator according to claim 35, wherein the bale
transfer
module further comprises:
a push bar extending above a bale receiving surface of the load bed and having
a
longitudinal axis disposed substantially parallel to the first axis, wherein
the push bar is
adapted move between a first position and a second position, wherein the push
bar is in the
first position when the push bar is located towards a first side of the load
bed, wherein the
push bar is in the second position when the push bar is located towards a
second side,
opposite to the first side, of the load bed, wherein the push bar is adapted
to push a bale
across the load bed in a first direction along the second axis responsive to
the push bar
moving from the first position to the second position, and wherein the push
bar is adapted
to push a bale across the load bed in a second direction, opposite to the
first direction,
along the second axis responsive to the push bar moving from the second
position to the
first position.
51

37. The agricultural bale accumulator according to claims 35 or 36, wherein:
the bale transfer module transfers the plurality of bales received on the load
bed
responsive to an automatically or manually generated electrical signal.
38. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one claims 1 to 37
further
comprising:
a bale discharge module operable to discharge at least one of the plurality of
bales
accumulated on at least one of the load bed, the first extension table, the
second extension
table, and the third extension table to the ground surface.
39. The agricultural bale accumulator according to claim 38, wherein the bale
discharge module further comprises:
at least a portion of the load bed pivotally connected to the main frame about
a
pivot point disposed on a horizontal pivot axis and moveable relative to the
main frame
between a bale accumulating position and a bale discharging position, wherein
the at least
a portion of the load bed is in a horizontal position relative to the main
frame when the at
least a portion of the load bed is in the bale accumulating position to permit
the at least a
portion of the load bed and the first extension table to accumulate thereon
the plurality of
bales, and wherein the at least a portion of the load bed is in an inclined
position relative to
the main frame when the at least a portion of the load bed is in the bale
discharging
position to permit the at least a portion of the load bed and the first
extension table to
discharge the plurality of bales accumulated thereon to the ground surface,
wherein the first extension table attachment mechanism connects the first
extension
table to the at least a portion of the load bed to permit the first extension
table to be
moveable with the at least a portion of the load bed when the at least a
portion of the load
bed moves between the bale accumulating position and the bale discharging
position, and
wherein the first extension table support system contacts the first extension
table
and contacts at least one of the base module and the ground surface to support
the first
extension table from at least one of the base module and the ground surface,
respectively,
when the first extension table is in the unstowed position and when the at
least a portion of
the load bed is in at least one of the bale accumulating position and the bale
discharging
position.
52

40. The agricultural bale accumulator according to claim 39, wherein the first
extension table support system supports the first extension table offset from
the horizontal
pivot axis when the first extension table is in the unstowed position and when
the at least a
portion of the load bed is in at least one of the bale accumulating position
and the bale
discharging position.
41. The agricultural bale accumulator according to claim 40, wherein the first
extension table support system supports the first extension table offset from
the horizontal
pivot axis at a location between a front side of the load bed where the
plurality of bales are
received on the load bed and the horizontal pivot axis.
42. The agricultural bale accumulator according to claims 39, 40, or 41,
wherein the
first extension table support system supports the first extension table about
the horizontal
pivot axis when the first extension table is in the unstowed position and when
the at least a
portion of the load bed is in at least one of the bale accumulating position
and the bale
discharging position.
43. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 39 to 42,
further
comprising:
a second hydraulic fluid cylinder having a first end connected to the main
frame
and a second end connected to the at least a portion of the load bed, wherein
the second
hydraulic fluid cylinder moves the at least a portion of the load bed relative
to the main
frame between the bale accumulating position and the bale discharging position
responsive
to receiving pressurized hydraulic fluid from a hydraulic fluid source; and
a hydraulic valve for selectively routing the pressurized hydraulic fluid from
the
hydraulic fluid source to the first hydraulic fluid cylinder at a first time,
and to the second
hydraulic fluid cylinder, at a second time, different from the first time,
responsive to an
electric control signal.
44. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 39 to 43,
further
comprising:
53

an alignment mechanism for aligning the at least a portion of the load bed
with the
main frame at a location between a front side of the load bed where the
plurality of bales
are received on the load bed and a horizontal pivot axis when the at least a
portion of the
load bed is in the bale accumulating position.
45. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 39 to 44,
further
comprising:
a latch mechanism for latching the at least a portion of the load bed to the
main
frame when the at least a portion of the load bed is in the bale accumulating
position and
for unlatching the at least a portion of the load bed from the main frame when
the at least a
portion of the load bed is in the bale discharging position.
46. The agricultural bale accumulator according to claim 45, wherein the latch
mechanism further comprises:
at least one hook and at least one catch bar located at a front side of the
agricultural
bale accumulator, mechanically coupled to an inside of the main frame and an
under side
of the at least a portion of the load bed, and adapted to move between a
latched position
and an unlatched position,
wherein the latch mechanism latches the at least a portion of the load bed to
the
main frame when the latch mechanism is in the latched position to secure the
at least a
portion of the load bed in the bale accumulating position, and
wherein the latch mechanism unlatches the at least a portion of the load bed
from
the main frame when the latch mechanism is in the unlatched position to permit
the at least
a portion of the load bed to move to from the bale accumulating position to
the bale
discharging position.
47. The agricultural bale accumulator according to claim 38, wherein the bale
discharge module further comprises:
a push mechanism extending above a bale receiving surface of the load bed and
the
first extension table and having a longitudinal axis disposed transverse to
the first axis,
wherein the push mechanism is adapted move along a bale discharge axis
parallel to the
first axis between the bale accumulating position and the bale discharging
position,
wherein the push mechanism is in the bale accumulating position when the push
54

mechanism is located near a front side of the load bed and the first extension
table, and
wherein the push mechanism is in the bale discharging position when the push
mechanism
is moved towards a rear side of the load bed and the first extension table.
48. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 38 to 47,
wherein:
the bale discharge module moves between the bale accumulating position and the
bale discharging position responsive to an automatically or manually generated
electrical
signal.
49. The agricultural bale accumulator according any one of claims 1 to 48,
wherein the
base module further comprises:
a hitch assembly mechanically coupled to the main frame and adapted to
mechanically couple and decouple a front side of the main frame to a mating
hitch
assembly on a rear side of an agricultural baler, wherein the hitch assembly
supports the
front side of the main frame when the hitch assembly is mechanically coupled
to the
mating hitch assembly on the rear side of the agricultural baler to permit the
agricultural
bale accumulator and the agricultural baler to be towed by the agricultural
baler,
wherein the load bed successively receives the plurality of bales from a bale
chamber of the agricultural baler along the first axis in a rearward direction
essentially
opposite to a direction of travel of the agricultural baler.
50. The agricultural bale accumulator according any one of claims 1 to 48,
wherein the
base module further comprises:
a hitch assembly mechanically coupled to the main frame and adapted to
mechanically couple and decouple a front side of the main frame to a mating
hitch
assembly on a rear side of a tractor, wherein the hitch assembly supports the
front side of
the main frame when the hitch assembly is mechanically coupled to the mating
hitch
assembly on the rear side of the tractor to permit the agricultural bale
accumulator to be
towed behind the tractor,
wherein the load bed receives the plurality of bales, deposited by an
agricultural
baler on the ground surface, from the ground surface along the first axis in a
rearward
direction essentially opposite to a direction of travel of the tractor.

51. The agricultural bale accumulator according any one of claims 1 to 50,
wherein the
load bed further comprises:
a center load bed, disposed at a bale receiving portion of the load bed, for
receiving
a first bale of the plurality of bales;
a first side load bed, disposed at a first side of the center load bed, for
accumulating
a second bale of the plurality of bales; and
a second side load bed, disposed at a second side, opposite to the first side,
of the
center load bed, for accumulating a third bale of the plurality of bales.
52. The agricultural bale accumulator according any one of claims 1 to 51,
wherein at
least one of the first extension table, the second extension table, and the
third extension
table is adapted to accumulate at least one of a fourth bale, a fifth bale,
and a sixth bale,
respectively.
53. The agricultural bale accumulator according any one of claims 1 to 52,
further
comprising:
a first bale discharging capacity including one to three bales when the first
extension table and the second extension table are each in their stowed
positions, wherein
the first bale accumulating capacity includes one to three bales when the
first extension
table and the second extension table are each in their stowed positions; and
a second bale discharging capacity including one to five bales when the first
extension table and the second extension table are each in their unstowed
positions,
wherein the second bale accumulating capacity includes one to five bales when
the first
extension table and the second extension table are each in their unstowed
positions.
54. The agricultural bale accumulator according any one of claims 1 to 52,
further
comprising:
a first bale discharging capacity including one bale when the first extension
table
and the second extension table are each in their stowed positions, wherein the
first bale
accumulating capacity includes one bale when the first extension table and the
second
extension table are each in their stowed positions; and
56

a second bale discharging capacity including one to three bales when the first
extension table and the second extension table are each in their unstowed
positions,
wherein the second bale accumulating capacity includes one to three bales when
the first
extension table and the second extension table are each in their unstowed
positions.
55. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 1 to 54,
further
comprising:
a controller, electrically coupled to at least one agricultural bale
accumulator
module, and adapted to control the operation of the agricultural bale
accumulator.
56. The agricultural bale accumulator according to claim 55, further
comprising:
a control console, electrically coupled to the controller, adapted to be
mounted in a
cab of an operator to provide the operator with feedback about the operation
of the
agricultural bale accumulator to permit the operator to at least one of
monitor and change
the operation of the agricultural bale accumulator.
57. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 1 to 56,
wherein
the first extension table is disposed perpendicular to the load bed, above a
bale receiving
surface of the load bed, and adjacent to a first side of the load bed when the
first extension
table is in the stowed position.
58. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 1 to 57,
wherein
the first extension table attachment mechanism further comprises:
a first hinge for pivotally coupling the first extension table to the base
module
about a first hinge axis.
59. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 1 to 56,
wherein
the first extension table attachment mechanism further comprises:
a telescoping mechanism for telescopically coupling the first extension table
to the
base module along the second axis.
60. The agricultural bale accumulator according any one of claims 1 to 59,
further
comprising:
57

a hydraulic fluid distribution system including at least a first hydraulic
fluid
distribution path, at least a second hydraulic fluid distribution path, and at
least a third
hydraulic fluid distribution path, and adapted to selectively couple
pressurized hydraulic
fluid received by the at least the first hydraulic fluid distribution path
from a hydraulic
fluid source to the at least the second hydraulic fluid distribution path, at
a first time, and
to the at least the third hydraulic fluid distribution path, at a second time,
different from the
first time;
a first bale accumulator module adapted to perform a first mechanical function
at
the first time responsive to receiving a first force generated by the
pressurized hydraulic
fluid received from the at least the second hydraulic fluid distribution path;
and
a second bale accumulator module adapted to perform a second mechanical
function, different from the first function, at the second time, responsive to
receiving a
second force generated by the pressurized hydraulic fluid received from the at
least the
third hydraulic fluid distribution path.
61. The agricultural bale accumulator according claim 60, further comprising:
a hydraulic fluid valve including:
a first set of hydraulic fluid ports mechanically coupled to and in fluid
communication with the at least a first hydraulic fluid distribution path,
a second set of hydraulic fluid ports mechanically coupled to and in fluid
communication with the at least a second hydraulic fluid distribution path,
and
a third set of hydraulic fluid ports mechanically coupled to and in fluid
communication with the at least a third hydraulic fluid distribution path,
wherein the hydraulic fluid valve is adapted to selectively couple the
pressurized hydraulic fluid received by the first set of hydraulic fluid ports
from the
hydraulic fluid source to the second set of hydraulic fluid ports, at the
first time, and the
third set of hydraulic fluid ports, at the second time, different from the
first time;
a first hydraulic fluid cylinder adapted to be mechanically coupled to and in
fluid
communication with the second set of hydraulic fluid ports, and adapted to
move between
a first position of the first hydraulic fluid cylinder and a second position
of the first
hydraulic fluid cylinder responsive to the pressurized hydraulic fluid,
wherein the first bale accumulator module further includes:
58

a first mechanical part adapted to move between a first position of the first
mechanical part and a second position of the first mechanical part responsive
to the first
hydraulic fluid cylinder moving between the first position of the first
hydraulic fluid
cylinder and the second position of the first hydraulic fluid cylinder,
respectively; and
a second hydraulic fluid cylinder adapted to be mechanically coupled to and in
fluid communication with the second set of hydraulic fluid ports, and adapted
to move
between a first position of the second hydraulic fluid cylinder and a second
position of the
second fluid hydraulic cylinder responsive to the pressurized hydraulic fluid;
wherein the second bale accumulator module further includes:
a second mechanical part adapted to move between a first position of the
second mechanical part and a second position of the second mechanical part
responsive to
the second hydraulic fluid cylinder moving between the first position of the
second
hydraulic fluid cylinder and the second position of the second hydraulic fluid
cylinder,
respectively.
62. The agricultural bale accumulator according claims 60 or 61, wherein the
first
equipment module and the second equipment module of the agricultural bale
accumulator
further comprise:
two different corresponding bale accumulator modules selected from the
following
bale accumulator modules:
a bale movement module;
a bale transfer module;
a bale discharge module; and
a load bed extension module.
63. A method for making an agricultural bale accumulator according to any one
of
claims 1 to 62, comprising the steps of:
providing the base module including the steps of:
providing the load bed; and
providing the main frame for supporting the load bed; and
providing the load bed extension module including the steps of:
providing the first extension table;
59

providing the first extension table attachment mechanism connected to the
first extension table and the base module to permit the first extension table
to be moveable
in the direction along a second axis transverse to the first axis relative to
the base module
between the stowed position and the unstowed position; and
providing the first extension table support system contacting the first
extension table at the location beyond the first extension table attachment
mechanism to
support the first extension table when the first extension table is in the
unstowed position.
64. A method for using an agricultural bale accumulator according to any one
of claims
1 to 62, comprising the steps of:
receiving a plurality of bales on the load bed;
accumulating at least one of the plurality of bales on at least one of the
load bed,
the first extension table, second extension table, and third extension table;
and
discharging at least one of the plurality of bales from at least one of the
load bed,
the first extension table, second extension table, and third extension table.
65. An agricultural bale accumulator comprising:
a base module including:
a main frame; and
a load bed, having a substantially planar bale receiving surface,
mechanically coupled to the main frame in a fixed position and supported by
the main
frame in a substantially horizontal plane parallel to a ground surface, and
adapted to
receive thereon a plurality of bales, including a leading bale immediately
followed by a
trailing bale, successively ejected from a bale chamber of an agricultural
baler along a bale
receiving axis in a bale traveling direction, opposite to a direction of
travel of the
agricultural bale accumulator, towards a rear side of the agricultural bale
accumulator to
accumulate the plurality of bales on the load bed, wherein the load bed
further includes:
a center load bed adapted to successively receive thereon each bale
of the plurality of bales ejected from the bale chamber of the agricultural
baler and to
accumulate thereon a first bale of the plurality of bales;
a right load bed, located adjacent to a right side of the center load
bed, adapted to receive thereon a bale of the plurality of bales from the
center load bed and
to accumulate thereon a second bale of the plurality of bales; and

a left load bed, located adjacent to a left side, opposite to the right
side, of the center load bed, adapted to receive thereon a bale of the
plurality of bales from
the center load bed and to accumulate thereon a third bale of the plurality of
bales;
a bale transfer module adapted to alternately transfer each of the plurality
of bales,
received by and accumulated on the center load bed, across the load bed to the
right load
bed and to the left load bed along a bale transfer axis transverse to the bale
receiving axis
responsive to a bale transfer signal to accumulate the plurality of bales on
at least one of
the center load bed, the right load bed, and the left load bed in a side-by-
side relationship,
wherein the bale transfer module further comprises:
a first push mechanism adapted to push each of the plurality of bales,
received by and accumulated on the center load bed, substantially horizontally
across the
load bed to the right load bed and to the left load bed; and
a bale discharge module adapted to move between a bale accumulating position
and
a bale discharging position responsive to a bale discharge signal to discharge
at least one
of the plurality of bales accumulated on the load bed to the ground surface,
wherein the
agricultural bale accumulator is adapted to accumulate at least one of the
plurality of bales
on the load bed when the bale discharge module is located in the bale
accumulating
position, and wherein the agricultural bale accumulator is adapted to
discharge at least one
of the plurality of bales accumulated on the load bed to the ground surface
when the bale
discharge module is moved from the bale accumulating position to the bale
discharging
position, wherein the bale discharge module further comprises:
a second push mechanism adapted to push the at least one of the plurality of
bales, accumulated on the load bed, substantially horizontally along the load
bed towards
the rear side of the agricultural bale accumulator to cause the at least one
of the plurality of
bales, accumulated on the load bed, to be discharged from the rear side of the
agricultural
bale accumulator to the ground surface.
66. The agricultural bale accumulator according to claim 65, wherein the first
push
mechanism extends above the bale receiving surface of the load bed and has a
longitudinal
axis disposed substantially parallel to the bale receiving axis, wherein the
first push
mechanism is adapted move between a first position and a second position,
wherein the
first push mechanism is in the first position when the first push mechanism is
located at a
right side of the center load, wherein the first push mechanism is in the
second position
61

when the first push mechanism is located at a left side of the center load
bed, wherein the
first push mechanism is adapted to push a bale from the center load bed to the
left load bed
along the bale transfer axis responsive to the first push mechanism moving
from the first
position to the second position, and wherein the first push mechanism is
adapted to push a
bale from the center load bed to the right load bed along the bale transfer
axis responsive
to the first push mechanism moving from the second position to the first
position.
67. The agricultural bale accumulator according to claim 66, wherein the first
push
mechanism further comprises:
a push bar.
68. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 65 to 67,
wherein
the second push mechanism extends above the bale receiving surface of the load
bed and
has a longitudinal axis disposed substantially transverse to the bale
receiving axis, wherein
the second push mechanism is adapted move along a bale discharge axis parallel
to the
bale receiving axis between the bale accumulating position and the bale
discharging
position, wherein the second push mechanism is in the bale accumulating
position when
the second push mechanism is moved towards a front side of the load bed,
wherein the
second push mechanism is in the bale discharging position when the second push
mechanism is moved towards a rear side of the load bed.
69. The agricultural bale accumulator according to claim 68, wherein the
second push
mechanism further comprises:
a push plate.
70. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to any one of claims 65 to
69,
wherein each of the plurality of bales has a medium size or a large size.
71. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to any one of claims 65 to
70,
wherein each of the plurality of bales has a rectangular shape.
72. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to any one of claims 65 to
71, further
comprising:
62

a hitch assembly mechanically coupled to the main frame and adapted to
mechanically couple and decouple a front side of the main frame to a mating
hitch
assembly on a rear side of the agricultural baler to permit the agricultural
bale accumulator
to be towed by the agricultural baler.
73. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to any one of claims 65 to
72, further
comprising:
first and second pairs of castor wheels mechanically coupled to the main frame
at
first and second locations, respectively, and adapted to pivot about first and
second
substantially vertical axes, respectively, wherein the first and second pair
of castor wheels,
having a common axis of rotation transverse to a longitudinal axis of the
agricultural bale
accumulator, to support the agricultural bale accumulator from the ground
surface to
permit the agricultural bale accumulator to be transported across the ground
surface in the
direction of travel.
74. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to any one of claims 65 to
73, further
comprising:
a bale position sensing module adapted to generate at least one bale position
signal
responsive to determining a position of at least one bale accumulated on at
least one of the
center load bed, the right load bed, and the left load bed.
75. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to claim 74, wherein the bale
position
sensing module further comprises:
at least one sensing plate having at a predetermined location, and moveable
between a first position at least coplanar with the bale receiving surface,
and a second
position extending above the bale receiving surface, wherein the sensing plate
is located in
the first position responsive to a bale applying a force on the sensing plate,
and wherein the
sensing plate is located in the second position responsive to a bale not
applying a force on
the sensing plate.
76. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to claim 75, wherein the bale
position
sensing module further comprises:
63

a switch coupled to the sensing plate, wherein the switch has a first switch
state
responsive to the sensing plate being located in the first position to
generate a first bale
position signal, and wherein the switch has a second switch state responsive
to the sensing
plate being located in the second position to generate a second bale position
signal.
77. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to any one of claims 65 to
76,
wherein each of the bale transfer signal and the bale discharge signal is
represented by at
least one of one of at least one bale position signal and an operator control
signal.
78. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to any one of claims 65 to
77, further
comprising:
a controller adapted to generate the bale transfer signal and the bale
discharge
signal to control the bale transfer module and the bale discharge module,
respectively.
79. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to any one of claims 65 to
78, further
comprising:
a control console adapted to permit an operator of the agricultural bale
accumulator
to monitor and/or control the operation of the agricultural bale accumulator.
80. The agricultural bale accumulator, according any one of claims 65 to 79,
further
comprising:
a hydraulic fluid distribution system including at least a first hydraulic
fluid
distribution path, at least a second hydraulic fluid distribution path, and at
least a third
hydraulic fluid distribution path, and adapted to selectively couple
pressurized hydraulic
fluid received by the at least the first hydraulic fluid distribution path
from a hydraulic
fluid source to the at least the second hydraulic fluid distribution path, at
a first time, and
to the at least the third hydraulic fluid distribution path, at a second time,
different from the
first time.
81. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to claim 80, further
comprising:
a first bale accumulator module adapted to perform a first mechanical function
at
the first time responsive to receiving a first force generated by the
pressurized hydraulic
fluid received from the at least the second hydraulic fluid distribution path;
and
64

a second bale accumulator module adapted to perform a second mechanical
function, different from the first function, at the second time, responsive to
receiving a
second force generated by the pressurized hydraulic fluid received from the at
least the
third hydraulic fluid distribution path.
82. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to claim 81, further
comprising:
a first hydraulic fluid cylinder adapted to be mechanically coupled to and in
fluid
communication with the second set of hydraulic fluid ports, and adapted to
move between
a first position of the first hydraulic fluid cylinder and a second position
of the first
hydraulic fluid cylinder responsive to the pressurized hydraulic fluid,
wherein the first bale accumulator module further includes:
a first mechanical part adapted to move between a first position of the first
mechanical part and a second position of the first mechanical part responsive
to the first
hydraulic fluid cylinder moving between the first position of the first
hydraulic fluid
cylinder and the second position of the first hydraulic fluid cylinder,
respectively; and
a second hydraulic fluid cylinder adapted to be mechanically coupled to and in
fluid communication with the second set of hydraulic fluid ports, and adapted
to move
between a first position of the second hydraulic fluid cylinder and a second
position of the
second fluid hydraulic cylinder responsive to the pressurized hydraulic fluid;
wherein the second bale accumulator module further includes:
a second mechanical part adapted to move between a first position of the
second mechanical part and a second position of the second mechanical part
responsive to
the second hydraulic fluid cylinder moving between the first position of the
second
hydraulic fluid cylinder and the second position of the second hydraulic fluid
cylinder,
respectively.
83. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to any one of claims 80 to
82, further
comprising:
a hydraulic fluid valve including:
a first set of hydraulic fluid ports mechanically coupled to and in fluid
communication with the at least the first hydraulic fluid distribution path,
a second set of hydraulic fluid ports mechanically coupled to and in fluid
communication with the at least the second hydraulic fluid distribution path,
and

a third set of hydraulic fluid ports mechanically coupled to and in fluid
communication with the at least the third hydraulic fluid distribution path,
wherein the hydraulic fluid valve is adapted to selectively couple the
pressurized hydraulic fluid received by the first set of hydraulic fluid ports
from the
hydraulic fluid source to the second set of hydraulic fluid ports, at the
first time, and the
third set of hydraulic fluid ports, at the second time, different from the
first time.
84. The agricultural bale accumulator, according claim 83, further comprising:
a first set of hydraulic fluid lines adapted to be mechanically coupled to and
in fluid
communication with the first set of hydraulic fluid ports to distribute the
pressurized
hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic fluid source to the first set of hydraulic
fluid ports;
a second set of hydraulic fluid lines adapted to be mechanically coupled to
and in
fluid communication with the second set of hydraulic fluid ports to distribute
the
pressurized hydraulic fluid from the second set of hydraulic fluid ports to
the first
hydraulic fluid cylinder; and
a third set of hydraulic fluid lines adapted to be mechanically coupled to and
in
fluid communication with the third set of hydraulic fluid ports to distribute
the pressurized
hydraulic fluid from the third set of hydraulic fluid ports to the second
hydraulic fluid
cylinder.
85. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to any one of claims 80 to
84, further
comprising:
a controller adapted to cause the hydraulic fluid valve to selectively couple
the
pressurized hydraulic fluid from the least the first hydraulic fluid
distribution path to one
of the at least the second hydraulic fluid distribution path and the at least
the third
hydraulic fluid distribution path.
86. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to any one of claims 80 to
85, further
comprising:
an operator control console adapted to permit an operator to generate an
operator
control signal to selectively couple the pressurized hydraulic fluid from the
least the first
hydraulic fluid distribution path to one of the at least the second hydraulic
fluid
distribution path and the at least the third hydraulic fluid distribution
path.
66

87. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to any one of claims 81 to
86,
wherein the first bale accumulator module and the second bale accumulator
module further
comprise:
two different corresponding bale accumulator modules selected from the
following
bale accumulator modules:
a bale movement module;
the bale transfer module;
the bale discharge module; and
a load bed extension module.
88. The agricultural bale accumulator, according any one of claims 82 to 87,
wherein the first accumulator module and the second accumulator module further
comprise the bale transfer module and the bale discharge module, respectively,
wherein the first push mechanism of the bale transfer module is adapted move
between the first position and the second position responsive to the first
hydraulic fluid
cylinder moving between the first position of the first hydraulic fluid
cylinder and the
second position of the first hydraulic fluid cylinder, respectively, and
wherein the second push mechanism of the bale discharge module is adapted move
along the bale discharge axis parallel to the bale receiving axis between the
bale
accumulating position and the bale discharging position responsive to the
second hydraulic
fluid cylinder moving between the first position of the second hydraulic fluid
cylinder and
the second position of the second hydraulic fluid cylinder, respectively.
89. The agricultural bale accumulator, according any one of claims 65 to 88,
further
comprising:
a load bed extension module including:
a first extension table which is substantially planar;
a first extension table attachment mechanism connected to the first
extension table and the base module to permit the first extension table to be
moveable in a
direction along the bale transfer axis transverse to the bale receiving axis
relative to the
base module between a stowed position and an unstowed position, wherein the
first
extension table is substantially co-planar with the load bed and adjacent to a
first side of
67

the load bed when the first extension table is in the unstowed position to
permit the first
extension table to accumulate thereon at least one of the plurality of bales,
wherein the
agricultural bale accumulator has a first lateral width dimension along the
bale transfer
axis and a first bale accumulating capacity when the first extension table is
in the stowed
position, wherein the agricultural bale accumulator has a second lateral width
dimension
along the bale transfer axis and a second bale accumulating capacity when the
first
extension table is in the unstowed position, wherein the first lateral width
dimension is less
than the second lateral width dimension, and wherein the first bale
accumulating capacity
is less than the second bale accumulating capacity.
90. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to claim 89, further
comprising:
a first extension table support system contacting the first extension table at
a
location beyond the first extension table attachment mechanism to support the
first
extension table when the first extension table is in the unstowed position.
91. An agricultural bale accumulator comprising:
a load bed, having a substantially planar bale receiving surface, adapted to
receive
thereon a plurality of bales, including a leading bale immediately followed by
a trailing
bale, successively ejected from a bale chamber of an agricultural baler along
a bale
receiving axis in a bale traveling direction, opposite to a direction of
travel of the
agricultural bale accumulator, towards a rear side of the agricultural bale
accumulator to
accumulate the plurality of bales on the load bed, wherein the load bed
further includes:
a center load bed adapted to successively receive thereon each bale of the
plurality of bales ejected from the bale chamber of the agricultural baler and
to accumulate
thereon a first bale of the plurality of bales;
a right load bed, located adjacent to a right side of the center load bed,
adapted to receive thereon a bale of the plurality of bales from the center
load bed and to
accumulate thereon a second bale of the plurality of bales; and
a left load bed, located adjacent to a left side, opposite to the right side,
of
the center load bed, adapted to receive thereon a bale of the plurality of
bales from the
center load bed and to accumulate thereon a third bale of the plurality of
bales;
a hydraulic fluid valve including a first hydraulic fluid distribution path, a
second
hydraulic fluid distribution path, and a third hydraulic fluid distribution
path, and adapted
68

to selectively couple pressurized hydraulic fluid received by the first
hydraulic fluid
distribution path from a hydraulic fluid source to one of the second hydraulic
fluid
distribution path and the third hydraulic fluid distribution path;
a first accumulator module adapted to perform a first mechanical function at a
first
time responsive to receiving a first force generated by the pressurized
hydraulic fluid from
the second hydraulic fluid distribution path; and
a second accumulator module adapted to perform a second mechanical function,
different from the first function, at a second time, different from the first
time, responsive
to receiving a second force generated by the pressurized hydraulic fluid from
the third
hydraulic fluid distribution path.
92. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to claim 91, wherein each of
the
plurality of bales has a medium size or a large size.
93. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to claims 91 or 92, wherein
each of
the plurality of bales has a rectangular shape.
94. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to any one of claims 91 to
93, further
comprising:
at least a first hydraulic fluid line adapted to be mechanically coupled to
and in
fluid communication with the first hydraulic fluid distribution path to
distribute the
pressurized hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic fluid source to the first
hydraulic fluid
distribution path.
95. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to any one of claims 91 to
94, further
comprising:
a first hydraulic fluid cylinder mechanically coupled to and in fluid
communication
with the second hydraulic fluid distribution path, and adapted to move between
a first
position of the first hydraulic fluid cylinder and a second position of the
first hydraulic
fluid cylinder responsive to receiving the pressurized hydraulic fluid from
the second
hydraulic fluid distribution path to generate the first force; and
a second hydraulic fluid cylinder mechanically coupled to and in fluid
communication with the at least the third hydraulic fluid distribution path,
and adapted to
69

move between a first position of the second hydraulic fluid cylinder and a
second position
of the second hydraulic fluid cylinder responsive to receiving the pressurized
hydraulic
fluid from the third hydraulic fluid distribution path to generate the second
force.
96. The agricultural bale accumulator, according claim 95, further comprising:
at least a second hydraulic fluid line adapted to be mechanically coupled to
and in
fluid communication with the second hydraulic fluid distribution path to
distribute the
pressurized hydraulic fluid from the second hydraulic fluid distribution path
to the first
hydraulic fluid cylinder; and
at least a third hydraulic fluid line adapted to be mechanically coupled to
and in
fluid communication with the third hydraulic fluid distribution path to
distribute the
pressurized hydraulic fluid from the third hydraulic fluid distribution path
to the second
hydraulic fluid cylinder.
97. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to claims 95 or 96,
wherein the first accumulator module includes a first mechanical part adapted
to
move between a first position of the first mechanical part and a second
position of the first
mechanical part responsive to the first hydraulic fluid cylinder moving
between the first
position of the first hydraulic fluid cylinder and the second position of the
first hydraulic
fluid cylinder, respectively, and
wherein the second accumulator module includes a second mechanical part
adapted
to move between a first position of the second mechanical part and a second
position of the
second mechanical part responsive to the second hydraulic fluid cylinder
moving between
the first position of the second hydraulic fluid cylinder and the second
position of the
second hydraulic fluid cylinder, respectively.
98. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to any one of claims 91 to
97, further
comprising:
an electrical switch adapted to generate a first electrical control signal and
a second
electrical control signal when the electrical switch is in a first switch
position and a second
switch position, respectively, responsive to receiving a control signal,
wherein the hydraulic fluid valve is adapted to selectively couple the
pressurized
hydraulic fluid received by the first hydraulic fluid distribution path from
the hydraulic

fluid source to one of the second hydraulic fluid distribution path and the
third hydraulic
fluid distribution path responsive to the first electrical control signal and
the second
electrical control signal, respectively.
99. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to any one of claims 91 to
98, further
comprising:
a controller adapted to generate a control signal to cause the hydraulic fluid
valve
to selectively couple the pressurized hydraulic fluid from the first hydraulic
fluid
distribution path to one of the second hydraulic fluid distribution path and
the third
hydraulic fluid distribution path.
100. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to any one of claims 91 to
99, further
comprising:
an operator control console adapted to permit an operator to generate at least
one
operator control signal to selectively couple the pressurized hydraulic fluid
from the first
hydraulic fluid distribution path to one of the second hydraulic fluid
distribution path and
the third hydraulic fluid distribution path.
101. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to any one of claims 91 to
100,
further comprising:
a base module including:
a main frame positioned substantially horizontal to a ground surface;
a hitch assembly mechanically coupled to a main frame of the agricultural
bale accumulator and adapted to mechanically couple and decouple a front side
of the main
frame to a mating hitch assembly on a rear side of the agricultural baler to
permit the
agricultural bale accumulator to be towed by the agricultural baler.
102. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to claim 101, wherein the
base
module further includes:
first and second pairs of castor wheels mechanically coupled to the main frame
at
first and second locations, respectively, and adapted to pivot about first and
second vertical
axes, respectively, wherein the first and second pair of castor wheels, having
a common
axis of rotation transverse to a longitudinal axis of the agricultural bale
accumulator, to
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support the agricultural bale accumulator from the ground surface to permit
the agricultural
bale accumulator to be transported across the ground surface in the direction
of travel.
103. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to any one of claims 91 to
102,
wherein the first accumulator module and the second accumulator module further
comprise:
two different corresponding modules selected from the following modules:
a bale movement module;
a load bed extension module;
a bale transfer module; and
a bale discharge module.
104. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to claim 103,
wherein the bale transfer module is adapted to alternately transfer each of
the
plurality of bales, received by and accumulated on the center load bed, across
the load bed
to the right load bed and to the left load bed along a bale transfer axis
transverse to the bale
receiving axis responsive to the bale transfer signal to accumulate the
plurality of bales on
at least one of the center load bed, the right load bed, and the left load bed
in a side-by-side
relationship.
105. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to claim 104, wherein the
bale
transfer module further comprises:
a first push mechanism adapted to push each of the plurality of bales,
received by
and accumulated on the center load bed, substantially horizontally across the
load bed to
the right load bed and to the left load bed
106. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to claim 105, wherein the
first push
mechanism extends above the bale receiving surface of the load bed and has a
longitudinal
axis disposed substantially parallel to the bale receiving axis, wherein the
first push
mechanism is adapted move between a first position and a second position,
wherein the
first push mechanism is in the first position when the first push mechanism is
located at a
right side of the center load, wherein the first push mechanism is in the
second position
when the first push mechanism is located at a left side of the center load
bed, wherein the
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first push mechanism is adapted to push a bale from the center load bed to the
left load bed
along the bale transfer axis responsive to the first push mechanism moving
from the first
position to the second position, and wherein the first push mechanism is
adapted to push a
bale from the center load bed to the right load bed along the bale transfer
axis responsive
to the first push mechanism moving from the second position to the first
position.
107. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to any one of claims 103 to
106,
wherein the bale discharge module is adapted to move between the bale
accumulating position and the bale discharging position responsive to the bale
discharge
signal to discharge at least one of the plurality of bales accumulated on the
load bed to a
ground surface, wherein the agricultural bale accumulator is adapted to
accumulate at least
one of the plurality of bales on the load bed when the bale discharge module
is located in
the bale accumulating position, and wherein the agricultural bale accumulator
is adapted to
discharge at least one of the plurality of bales accumulated on the load bed
to the ground
surface when the bale discharge module is moved from the bale accumulating
position to
the bale discharging position.
108. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to claim 107, wherein the
bale
discharge module further comprises:
a second push mechanism adapted to push the at least one of the plurality of
bales,
accumulated on the load bed, substantially horizontally along the load bed
towards the rear
side of the agricultural bale accumulator to cause the at least one of the
plurality of bales,
accumulated on the load bed, to be discharged from the rear side of the
agricultural bale
accumulator to the ground surface.
109. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to claim 108, wherein the
second
push mechanism extends above the bale receiving surface of the load bed and
has a
longitudinal axis disposed substantially transverse to the bale receiving
axis, wherein the
second push mechanism is adapted move along a bale discharge axis parallel to
the bale
receiving axis between the bale accumulating position and the bale discharging
position,
wherein the second push mechanism is in the bale accumulating position when
the second
push mechanism is located near a front side of the load bed, and wherein the
second push
73

mechanism is in the bale discharging position when the second push mechanism
is moved
towards a rear side of the load bed.
110. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to any one of claims 103 to
107,
wherein the bale discharge module further comprises:
at least a portion of the load bed pivotally connected to a main frame about a
pivot
point disposed on a horizontal pivot axis and moveable relative to the main
frame between
the bale accumulating position and the bale discharging position, wherein the
at least a
portion of the load bed is in a horizontal position relative to the main frame
when the at
least a portion of the load bed is in the bale accumulating position to permit
the at least a
portion of the load bed to accumulate thereon the plurality of bales, and
wherein the at
least a portion of the load bed is in an inclined position relative to the
main frame when the
at least a portion of the load bed is in the bale discharging position to
permit the at least a
portion of the load bed to discharge the plurality of bales accumulated
thereon to the
ground surface.
111. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to any one of claims 103 to
110,
wherein the load bed extension module, further includes:
a first extension table, having a substantially planar bale receiving surface,
adapted
to receive thereon a bale of the plurality of bales from the right load bed
and to accumulate
thereon a fourth bale of the plurality of bales;
a first attachment mechanism adapted to connect the first extension table to a
right
side of the right load bed to permit the first extension table to be moveable
relative to the
right load bed between a stowed position and an unstowed position, wherein the
first
extension table is disposed substantially co-planar with the right load bed
and adjacent to
the right side of the right load bed when the first extension table is in the
unstowed
position to permit the first extension table to accumulate thereon the fourth
bale, and
wherein the first extension table is prevented from accumulating thereon the
fourth bale
when the first extension table is in the stowed position;
a second extension table, having a substantially planar bale receiving
surface,
adapted to receive thereon a bale of the plurality of bales from the left load
bed and to
accumulate thereon a fifth bale of the plurality of bales; and
74

a second attachment mechanism adapted to connect the second extension table to
a
left side of the left load bed to permit the second extension table to be
moveable relative to
the left load bed between a stowed position and an unstowed position, wherein
the second
extension table is disposed substantially co-planar with the left load bed and
adjacent to the
left side of the left load bed when the second extension table is in the
unstowed position to
permit the second extension table to accumulate thereon the fifth bale,
wherein the second
extension table is prevented from accumulating thereon the fifth bale when the
second
extension table is in the stowed position;
wherein the bale accumulator has a first lateral width dimension when the
first
extension table and the second extension table are each in their stowed
positions to provide
a first bale accumulating capacity and a first bale discharging capacity, and
wherein the
bale accumulator has a second lateral width dimension, longer than the first
lateral width
dimension, when the first extension table and the second extension table are
each in their
unstowed positions to provide a second bale accumulating capacity greater than
the first
bale accumulating capacity and a second bale discharging capacity greater than
the first
bale discharging capacity.
112. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to any one of claims 103 to
110,
wherein load bed extension module further comprises:
a first extension table which is substantially planar;
a first extension table attachment mechanism connected to the first extension
table
and the base module to permit the first extension table to be moveable in a
direction along
the bale transfer axis transverse to the bale receiving axis relative to the
base module
between a stowed position and an unstowed position, wherein the first
extension table is
substantially co-planar with the load bed and adjacent to a first side of the
load bed when
the first extension table is in the unstowed position to permit the first
extension table to
accumulate thereon at least one of the plurality of bales, wherein the
agricultural bale
accumulator has a first lateral width dimension along the bale transfer axis
and a first bale
accumulating capacity when the first extension table is in the stowed
position, wherein the
agricultural bale accumulator has a second lateral width dimension along the
bale transfer
axis and a second bale accumulating capacity when the first extension table is
in the
unstowed position, wherein the first lateral width dimension is less than the
second lateral

width dimension, and wherein the first bale accumulating capacity is less than
the second
bale accumulating capacity.
113. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to claim 112, further
comprising:
a first extension table support system contacting the first extension table at
a
location beyond the first extension table attachment mechanism to support the
first
extension table when the first extension table is in the unstowed position.
114. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to any one of claims 91 to
113,
further comprising:
a bale position sensing module adapted to generate at least one bale position
signal
responsive to determining a position of at least one bale received and
accumulated on at
least one of the center load bed, the right load bed, the left load bed, the
first extension
table, and the second extension table.
115. An agricultural bale accumulator comprising:
a load bed, having a substantially planar bale receiving surface, adapted to
receive
thereon a plurality of bales, including a leading bale immediately followed by
a trailing
bale, successively ejected from a bale chamber of an agricultural baler along
a bale
receiving axis in a bale traveling direction, opposite to a direction of
travel of the
agricultural bale accumulator, towards a rear side of the agricultural bale
accumulator to
accumulate the plurality of bales on the load bed, wherein the load bed
further includes:
a center load bed adapted to successively receive thereon each bale of the
plurality of bales ejected from the bale chamber of the agricultural baler and
to accumulate
thereon a first bale of the plurality of bales;
a right load bed, located adjacent to a right side of the center load bed,
adapted to receive thereon a bale of the plurality of bales from the center
load bed and to
accumulate thereon a second bale of the plurality of bales; and
a left load bed, located adjacent to a left side, opposite to the right side,
of
the center load bed, adapted to receive thereon a bale of the plurality of
bales from the
center load bed and to accumulate thereon a third bale of the plurality of
bales;
a hydraulic fluid system including:
76

a hydraulic fluid valve including a first set of hydraulic fluid ports, a
second
set of hydraulic fluid ports, and a third set of hydraulic fluid ports, and
adapted to
selectively couple pressurized hydraulic fluid received by the first set of
hydraulic fluid
ports from a hydraulic fluid source to one of the second set of hydraulic
fluid ports and the
third set of hydraulic fluid ports;
a first hydraulic fluid cylinder mechanically coupled to and in fluid
communication with the second set of hydraulic fluid ports, and adapted to
move between
a first position of the first hydraulic fluid cylinder and a second position
of the first
hydraulic fluid cylinder responsive to receiving the pressurized hydraulic
fluid from the
second set of hydraulic fluid ports;
a second hydraulic fluid cylinder mechanically coupled to and in fluid
communication with the third set of hydraulic fluid ports, and adapted to move
between a
first position of the second hydraulic fluid cylinder and a second position of
the second
hydraulic fluid cylinder responsive to receiving the pressurized hydraulic
fluid from the
third set of hydraulic fluid ports; and
a controller adapted to cause the hydraulic fluid valve to selectively couple
the pressurized hydraulic fluid from the first set of hydraulic fluid ports to
one of the
second set of hydraulic fluid ports and the third set of hydraulic fluid
ports;
a first accumulator module including a first mechanical part adapted to
perform a
first mechanical function and adapted to move between a first position of the
first
mechanical part and a second position of the first mechanical part responsive
to the first
hydraulic fluid cylinder moving between the first position of the first
hydraulic fluid
cylinder and the second position of the first hydraulic fluid cylinder,
respectively, and
a second accumulator module including a second mechanical part adapted to
perform a second mechanical function, different from the first function, and
adapted to
move between a first position of the second mechanical part and a second
position of the
second mechanical part responsive to the second hydraulic fluid cylinder
moving between
the first position of the second hydraulic fluid cylinder and the second
position of the
second hydraulic fluid cylinder, respectively.
116. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to claim 115, wherein each
of the
plurality of bales has a medium size or a large size.
77

117. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to claim 115 or 116, wherein
each of
the plurality of bales has a rectangular shape.
118. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to any one of claims 115 to
117,
further comprising:
a first set of hydraulic fluid lines adapted to be mechanically coupled to and
in fluid
communication with the first set of hydraulic fluid ports to distribute the
pressurized
hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic fluid source to the first set of hydraulic
fluid ports;
a second set of hydraulic fluid lines adapted to be mechanically coupled to
and in
fluid communication with the second set of hydraulic fluid ports to distribute
the
pressurized hydraulic fluid from the second set of hydraulic fluid ports to
the first
hydraulic fluid cylinder; and
a third set of hydraulic fluid lines adapted to be mechanically coupled to and
in
fluid communication with the third set of hydraulic fluid ports to distribute
the pressurized
hydraulic fluid from the third set of hydraulic fluid ports to the second
hydraulic fluid
cylinder.
119. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to any one of claims 115 to
118,
further comprising:
an operator control console adapted to be electrically coupled to the
controller to
permit an operator to generate an operator control signal to cause the
controller to
selectively couple the pressurized hydraulic fluid from the first set of
hydraulic fluid ports
to one of the second set of hydraulic fluid ports and the third set of
hydraulic fluid ports.
120. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to any one of claims 115 to
119,
further comprising:
a base module including:
a main frame positioned substantially horizontal to a ground surface;
a hitch assembly mechanically coupled to the main frame and adapted to
mechanically couple and decouple a front side of the main frame to a mating
hitch
assembly on a rear side of the agricultural baler to permit the agricultural
bale accumulator
to be towed by the agricultural baler.
78

121. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to claim 120, wherein the
base
module further comprises:
first and second pairs of castor wheels mechanically coupled to the main frame
at
first and second locations, respectively, and adapted to pivot about first and
second vertical
axes, respectively, wherein the first and second pair of castor wheels, having
a common
axis of rotation transverse to a longitudinal axis of the agricultural bale
accumulator, to
support the agricultural bale accumulator from the ground surface to permit
the agricultural
bale accumulator to be transported across the ground surface in the direction
of travel.
122. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to any one of claims 115 to
121,
wherein the first accumulator module and the second accumulator module further
comprise:
two different corresponding modules selected from the following modules:
a bale movement module;
a load bed extension module;
a bale transfer module; and
a bale discharge module.
123. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to claim 122,
wherein the bale transfer module is adapted to alternately transfer each of
the
plurality of bales, received by and accumulated on the center load bed, across
the load bed
to the right load bed and to the left load bed along a bale transfer axis
transverse to the bale
receiving axis responsive to the bale transfer signal to accumulate the
plurality of bales on
at least one of the center load bed, the right load bed, and the left load bed
in a side-by-side
relationship.
124. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to claim 123, wherein the
bale
transfer module further comprises:
a first push mechanism adapted to push each of the plurality of bales,
received by
and accumulated on the center load bed, substantially horizontally across the
load bed to
the right load bed and to the left load bed
79

125. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to claim 124, wherein the
first push
mechanism extends above the bale receiving surface of the load bed and has a
longitudinal
axis disposed substantially parallel to the bale receiving axis, wherein the
first push
mechanism is adapted move between a first position and a second position,
wherein the
first push mechanism is in the first position when the first push mechanism is
located at a
right side of the center load, wherein the first push mechanism is in the
second position
when the first push mechanism is located at a left side of the center load
bed, wherein the
first push mechanism is adapted to push a bale from the center load bed to the
left load bed
along the bale transfer axis responsive to the first push mechanism moving
from the first
position to the second position, and wherein the first push mechanism is
adapted to push a
bale from the center load bed to the right load bed along the bale transfer
axis responsive
to the first push mechanism moving from the second position to the first
position.
126. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to any one of claims 122 to
125,
wherein the bale discharge module is adapted to move between the bale
accumulating position and the bale discharging position responsive to the bale
discharge
signal to discharge at least one of the plurality of bales accumulated on the
load bed to a
ground surface, wherein the agricultural bale accumulator is adapted to
accumulate at least
one of the plurality of bales on the load bed when the bale discharge module
is located in
the bale accumulating position, and wherein the agricultural bale accumulator
is adapted to
discharge at least one of the plurality of bales accumulated on the load bed
to the ground
surface when the bale discharge module is moved from the bale accumulating
position to
the bale discharging position.
127. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to claim 126, wherein the
bale
discharge module further comprises:
a second push mechanism adapted to push the at least one of the plurality of
bales,
accumulated on the load bed, substantially horizontally along the load bed
towards the rear
side of the agricultural bale accumulator to cause the at least one of the
plurality of bales,
accumulated on the load bed, to be discharged from the rear side of the
agricultural bale
accumulator to the ground surface.

128. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to claim 127, wherein the
second
push mechanism extends above the bale receiving surface of the load bed and
has a
longitudinal axis disposed substantially transverse to the bale receiving
axis, wherein the
second push mechanism is adapted move along a bale discharge axis parallel to
the bale
receiving axis between the bale accumulating position and the bale discharging
position,
wherein the second push mechanism is in the bale accumulating position when
the second
push mechanism is located near a front side of the load bed, and wherein the
second push
mechanism is in the bale discharging position when the second push mechanism
is moved
towards a rear side of the load bed.
129. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to any one of claims 122 to
126,
wherein the bale discharge module further comprises:
at least a portion of the load bed pivotally connected to a main frame about a
pivot
point disposed on a horizontal pivot axis and moveable relative to the main
frame between
the bale accumulating position and the bale discharging position, wherein the
at least a
portion of the load bed is in a horizontal position relative to the main frame
when the at
least a portion of the load bed is in the bale accumulating position to permit
the at least a
portion of the load bed to accumulate thereon the plurality of bales, and
wherein the at
least a portion of the load bed is in an inclined position relative to the
main frame when the
at least a portion of the load bed is in the bale discharging position to
permit the at least a
portion of the load bed to discharge the plurality of bales accumulated
thereon to the
ground surface.
130. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to any one of claims 122 to
129,
wherein the load bed extension module, further includes:
a first extension table, having a substantially planar bale receiving surface,
adapted
to receive thereon a bale of the plurality of bales from the right load bed
and to accumulate
thereon a fourth bale of the plurality of bales;
a first attachment mechanism adapted to connect the first extension table to a
right
side of the right load bed to permit the first extension table to be moveable
relative to the
right load bed between a stowed position and an unstowed position, wherein the
first
extension table is disposed substantially co-planar with the right load bed
and adjacent to
the right side of the right load bed when the first extension table is in the
unstowed
81

position to permit the first extension table to accumulate thereon the fourth
bale, and
wherein the first extension table is prevented from accumulating thereon the
fourth bale
when the first extension table is in the stowed position;
a second extension table, having a substantially planar bale receiving
surface,
adapted to receive thereon a bale of the plurality of bales from the left load
bed and to
accumulate thereon a fifth bale of the plurality of bales; and
a second attachment mechanism adapted to connect the second extension table to
a
left side of the left load bed to permit the second extension table to be
moveable relative to
the left load bed between a stowed position and an unstowed position, wherein
the second
extension table is disposed substantially co-planar with the left load bed and
adjacent to the
left side of the left load bed when the second extension table is in the
unstowed position to
permit the second extension table to accumulate thereon the fifth bale,
wherein the second
extension table is prevented from accumulating thereon the fifth bale when the
second
extension table is in the stowed position;
wherein the bale accumulator has a first lateral width dimension when the
first
extension table and the second extension table are each in their stowed
positions to provide
a first bale accumulating capacity and a first bale discharging capacity, and
wherein the
bale accumulator has a second lateral width dimension, longer than the first
lateral width
dimension, when the first extension table and the second extension table are
each in their
unstowed positions to provide a second bale accumulating capacity greater than
the first
bale accumulating capacity and a second bale discharging capacity greater than
the first
bale discharging capacity.
131. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to any one of claims 122 to
129,
wherein load bed extension module further comprises:
a first extension table which is substantially planar;
a first extension table attachment mechanism connected to the first extension
table
and the base module to permit the first extension table to be moveable in a
direction along
the bale transfer axis transverse to the bale receiving axis relative to the
base module
between a stowed position and an unstowed position, wherein the first
extension table is
substantially co-planar with the load bed and adjacent to a first side of the
load bed when
the first extension table is in the unstowed position to permit the first
extension table to
accumulate thereon at least one of the plurality of bales, wherein the
agricultural bale
82

accumulator has a first lateral width dimension along the bale transfer axis
and a first bale
accumulating capacity when the first extension table is in the stowed
position, wherein the
agricultural bale accumulator has a second lateral width dimension along the
bale transfer
axis and a second bale accumulating capacity when the first extension table is
in the
unstowed position, wherein the first lateral width dimension is less than the
second lateral
width dimension, and wherein the first bale accumulating capacity is less than
the second
bale accumulating capacity.
132. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to claim 131, further
comprising:
a first extension table support system contacting the first extension table at
a
location beyond the first extension table attachment mechanism to support the
first
extension table when the first extension table is in the unstowed position.
133. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to any one of claims 115 to
132,
further comprising:
a bale position sensing module adapted to generate at least one bale position
signal
responsive to determining a position of at least one bale received and
accumulated on at
least one of the center load bed, the right load bed, the left load bed, the
first extension
table, and the second extension table.
134. An agricultural bale accumulator comprising:
a base module including:
a main frame positioned substantially horizontal to a ground surface;
a hitch assembly mechanically coupled to the main frame and adapted to
mechanically couple and decouple a front side of the main frame to a mating
hitch
assembly on a rear side of an agricultural baler to permit the agricultural
bale accumulator
to be towed by the agricultural baler;
first and second pairs of castor wheels mechanically coupled to the main
frame at first and second locations, respectively, and adapted to pivot about
first and
second vertical axes, respectively, wherein the first and second pair of
castor wheels,
having a common axis of rotation transverse to a longitudinal axis of the
agricultural bale
accumulator, support the agricultural bale accumulator from the ground surface
to permit
83

the agricultural bale accumulator to be transported across the ground surface
in a direction
of travel; and
a load bed, having a substantially planar bale receiving surface,
mechanically coupled to the main frame in a substantially horizontal position,
and adapted
to receive thereon a plurality of bales, having either a medium size or a
large size, having a
rectangular shape, including a leading bale immediately followed by a trailing
bale,
successively ejected from a bale chamber of the agricultural baler along a
bale receiving
axis in a bale traveling direction, opposite to the direction of travel of the
agricultural bale
accumulator, towards a rear side of the agricultural bale accumulator to
accumulate the
plurality of bales on the load bed, wherein the load bed further includes:
a center load bed adapted to successively receive thereon each bale
of the plurality of bales ejected from the bale chamber of the agricultural
baler and to
accumulate thereon a first bale of the plurality of bales;
a right load bed, located adjacent to a right side of the center load
bed, adapted to receive thereon a bale of the plurality of bales from the
center load bed and
to accumulate thereon a second bale of the plurality of bales; and
a left load bed, located adjacent to a left side, opposite to the right
side, of the center load bed, adapted to receive thereon a bale of the
plurality of bales from
the center load bed and to accumulate thereon a third bale of the plurality of
bales;
a bale position sensing module adapted to generate at least one bale position
signal
responsive to determining a position of at least one bale received and
accumulated on at
least one of the center load bed, the right load bed, and the left load bed;
a hydraulic fluid system including:
a hydraulic fluid valve including a first set of hydraulic fluid ports, a
second
set of hydraulic fluid ports, and a third set of hydraulic fluid ports, and
adapted to
selectively couple pressurized hydraulic fluid received by the first set of
hydraulic fluid
ports from a hydraulic fluid source to one of the second set of hydraulic
fluid ports and the
third set of hydraulic fluid ports;
a first set of hydraulic fluid lines adapted to be mechanically coupled to and
in fluid communication with first set of hydraulic fluid ports to distribute
the pressurized
hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic fluid source to the first set of hydraulic
fluid ports;
a first hydraulic fluid cylinder mechanically coupled to and in fluid
communication with the second set of hydraulic fluid ports, and adapted to
move between
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a first position of the first hydraulic fluid cylinder and a second position
of the first
hydraulic fluid cylinder responsive to receiving the pressurized hydraulic
fluid from the
second set of hydraulic fluid ports;
a second set of hydraulic fluid lines adapted to be mechanically coupled to
and in fluid communication with the second set of hydraulic fluid ports to
distribute the
pressurized hydraulic fluid from the second set of hydraulic fluid ports to
the first
hydraulic fluid cylinder;
a second hydraulic fluid cylinder mechanically coupled to and in fluid
communication with the third set of hydraulic fluid ports, and adapted to move
between a
first position of the second hydraulic fluid cylinder and a second position of
the second
hydraulic fluid cylinder responsive to receiving the pressurized hydraulic
fluid from the
third set of hydraulic fluid ports;
a third set of hydraulic fluid lines adapted to be mechanically coupled to
and in fluid communication with the third set of hydraulic fluid ports to
distribute the
pressurized hydraulic fluid from the third set of hydraulic fluid ports to the
second
hydraulic fluid cylinder; and
a controller adapted to cause the hydraulic fluid valve to selectively couple
the pressurized hydraulic fluid from the first set of hydraulic fluid ports to
one of the
second set of hydraulic fluid ports and the third set of hydraulic fluid ports
responsive to
receiving a bale transfer signal and a bale discharge signal, respectively,
wherein each of
the bale transfer signal and the bale discharge signal is represented by one
of the at least
one bale position signal and an operator control signal;
an operator control console adapted to be electrically coupled to the
controller to
permit an operator to generate the operator control signal;
a bale transfer module adapted to alternately transfer each of the plurality
of bales,
received by and accumulated on the center load bed, across the load bed to the
right load
bed and to the left load bed along a bale transfer axis transverse to the bale
receiving axis
responsive to the bale transfer signal to accumulate the plurality of bales on
at least one of
the center load bed, the right load bed, and the left load bed in a side-by-
side relationship,
wherein the bale transfer module further includes:
a first push mechanism extending above the bale receiving surface of the
load bed and having a longitudinal axis disposed substantially parallel to the
bale receiving
axis, wherein the first push mechanism is adapted move between a first
position and a

second position responsive to the first hydraulic fluid cylinder moving
between the first
position of the first hydraulic fluid cylinder and the second position of the
first hydraulic
fluid cylinder, respectively, wherein the first push mechanism is in the first
position when
the first push mechanism is located at a right side of the center load,
wherein the first push
mechanism is in the second position when the first push mechanism is located
at a left side
of the center load bed, wherein the first push mechanism is adapted to push a
bale from the
center load bed to the left load bed along the bale transfer axis responsive
to the first push
mechanism moving from the first position to the second position, and wherein
the first
push mechanism is adapted to push a bale from the center load bed to the right
load bed
along the bale transfer axis responsive to the first push mechanism moving
from the
second position to the first position; and
a bale discharge module adapted to move between a bale accumulating position
and
a bale discharging position responsive to the bale discharge signal to
discharge at least one
of the plurality of bales accumulated on the load bed to the ground surface,
wherein the
agricultural bale accumulator is adapted to accumulate at least one of the
plurality of bales
on the load bed when the bale discharge module is located in the bale
accumulating
position, and wherein the agricultural bale accumulator is adapted to
discharge at least one
of the plurality of bales accumulated on the load bed to the ground surface
when the bale
discharge module is moved from the bale accumulating position to the bale
discharging
position, wherein the bale discharge module further comprises:
a second push mechanism extending above the bale receiving surface of the
load bed and having a longitudinal axis disposed substantially transverse to
the bale
receiving axis, wherein the second push mechanism is adapted move along a bale
discharge axis parallel to the bale receiving axis between the bale
accumulating position
and the bale discharging position responsive to the second hydraulic fluid
cylinder moving
between the first position of the second hydraulic fluid cylinder and the
second position of
the second hydraulic fluid cylinder, respectively, wherein the second push
mechanism is in
the bale accumulating position when the second push mechanism is located near
a front
side of the load bed, wherein the second push mechanism is in the bale
discharging
position when the second push mechanism is moved towards a rear side of the
load bed.
135. An agricultural bale equipment comprising:
an agricultural baler including:
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a baler hydraulic fluid distribution system, including a first set of baler
hydraulic fluid distribution paths and a second set of baler hydraulic fluid
distribution
paths, mechanically coupled to and in fluid communication with a hydraulic
fluid source
providing hydraulic fluid;
a baler hydraulic cylinder mechanically coupled to and in fluid
communication with the second set of baler hydraulic fluid distribution paths,
and adapted
to operate a baler module of the agricultural baler;
a rear baler interface including:
a rear baler hitch;
a rear baler hydraulic interface including a first set of rear baler
hydraulic fluid ports and adapted to be mechanically coupled to and in fluid
communication with the first set of baler hydraulic fluid distribution paths;
and
an agricultural bale accumulator including:
an accumulator interface including:
an accumulator hitch adapted to be mechanically coupled to the rear
baler hitch to permit the agricultural bale accumulator to be towed by the
agricultural
baler; and
an accumulator hydraulic fluid interface, including a first set of
accumulator hydraulic fluid ports, a second set of accumulator hydraulic fluid
ports, and a
third set of accumulator hydraulic fluid ports, wherein the first set of
accumulator
hydraulic fluid ports is adapted to be mechanically coupled to and in fluid
communication
with the first set of rear baler hydraulic fluid ports, respectively;
a load bed, having a substantially planar bale receiving surface, adapted to
receive thereon a plurality of bales, having either a medium size or a large
size, having a
rectangular shape, including a leading bale immediately followed by a trailing
bale,
successively ejected from a bale chamber of the agricultural baler along a
bale receiving
axis in a bale traveling direction, opposite to a direction of travel of the
agricultural bale
accumulator, towards a rear side of the agricultural bale accumulator to
accumulate the
plurality of bales on the load bed, wherein the load bed further includes:
a center load bed adapted to successively receive thereon each bale
of the plurality of bales ejected from the bale chamber of the agricultural
baler and to
accumulate thereon a first bale of the plurality of bales;
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a right load bed, located adjacent to a right side of the center load
bed, adapted to receive thereon a bale of the plurality of bales from the
center load bed and
to accumulate thereon a second bale of the plurality of bales; and
a left load bed, located adjacent to a left side, opposite to the right
side, of the center load bed, adapted to receive thereon a bale of the
plurality of bales from
the center load bed and to accumulate thereon a third bale of the plurality of
bales;
an accumulator hydraulic fluid distribution system, including a first set of
accumulator hydraulic fluid distribution paths and a second set of accumulator
hydraulic
fluid distribution paths, and adapted to be mechanically coupled to and in
fluid
communication with the second set of accumulator hydraulic fluid ports and the
third set of
accumulator hydraulic fluid ports, respectively;
a first accumulator hydraulic fluid cylinder adapted to be mechanically
coupled to and in fluid communication with the first set of accumulator
hydraulic fluid
distribution paths, and adapted to move between a first position of the first
accumulator
hydraulic fluid cylinder and a second position of the first accumulator
hydraulic fluid
cylinder responsive to pressure exerted by the hydraulic fluid;
a first accumulator module including a first accumulator mechanical part
adapted to move between a first position of the first accumulator mechanical
part and a
second position of the first accumulator mechanical part responsive to the
first accumulator
hydraulic fluid cylinder moving between the first position of the first
accumulator
hydraulic fluid cylinder and the second position of the first accumulator
hydraulic fluid
cylinder, respectively;
a second accumulator hydraulic fluid cylinder adapted to be mechanically
coupled to and in fluid communication with the second set of accumulator
hydraulic fluid
distribution paths, and adapted to move between a first position of the second
accumulator
hydraulic fluid cylinder and a second position of the second accumulator
hydraulic fluid
cylinder responsive to pressure exerted by the hydraulic fluid;
a second accumulator module including a second accumulator mechanical
part adapted to move between a first position of the second accumulator
mechanical part
and a second position of the second accumulator mechanical part responsive to
the second
accumulator hydraulic cylinder moving between the first position of the second
accumulator hydraulic fluid cylinder and the second position of the second
accumulator
hydraulic fluid cylinder, respectively;
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an electrical switch adapted to generate a first electrical control signal and
a
second electrical control signal when the electrical switch is in a first
switch position and a
second switch position, respectively, responsive to receiving an operational
control signal;
and
a hydraulic fluid valve mechanically coupled to and in fluid communication
with the accumulator hydraulic fluid distribution system, and adapted to
selectively couple
the hydraulic fluid from the first set of hydraulic fluid distribution paths
to the first
hydraulic fluid cylinder, at a first time, and to the second hydraulic fluid
cylinder, at a
second time, different from the first time, responsive to receiving the first
electrical control
signal and the second electrical control signal, respectively.
136. The agricultural bale equipment, according to claim 135, further
comprising:
an agricultural tractor including:
a tractor hitch; and
a tractor hydraulic fluid system including:
the hydraulic fluid source adapted to provide the hydraulic fluid;
and
a tractor hydraulic interface, including a first set of tractor hydraulic
fluid ports and a second set of tractor hydraulic fluid ports, and adapted to
be mechanically
coupled to and in fluid communication with the hydraulic fluid source; and
wherein the agricultural baler further comprises:
a front baler interface including:
a front baler hitch adapted to be mechanically coupled to the tractor
hitch to permit the agricultural baler to be towed by the agricultural
tractor; and
a front baler hydraulic fluid interface, including a first set of front
baler hydraulic fluid ports and a second set of front baler hydraulic fluid
ports, adapted to
be mechanically coupled to and in fluid communication with the first set of
tractor
hydraulic fluid ports and the second set of tractor hydraulic fluid ports,
respectively, and
adapted to be mechanically coupled to and in fluid communication with the
first set of
baler hydraulic fluid distribution paths and the second set of baler hydraulic
fluid
distribution paths.
137. The agricultural bale equipment, according to claim 135 or 136,
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wherein the first equipment module and the second equipment module of the
agricultural bale accumulator further comprise:
two different corresponding modules selected from the following modules:
a bale movement module;
a bale transfer module;
a load bed extension module; and
a bale discharge module.
138. An agricultural bale accumulator comprising:
a base module including:
a load bed, having a substantially planar bale receiving surface, and adapted
to receive thereon a plurality of bales, including a leading bale immediately
followed by a
trailing bale, successively ejected from a bale chamber of an agricultural
baler along a bale
receiving axis in a bale traveling direction, opposite to a direction of
travel of the
agricultural bale accumulator, towards a rear side of the agricultural bale
accumulator to
accumulate the plurality of bales on the load bed, wherein the load bed
further includes:
a center load bed adapted to successively receive and accumulate on
the center load bed at least a first bale of the plurality of bales ejected
from the bale
chamber of the agricultural baler;
a right load bed, located adjacent to a right side of the center load
bed, adapted to receive and accumulate on the right load bed at least a second
bale of the
plurality of bales; and
a left load bed, located adjacent to a left side, opposite to the right
side, of the center load bed, adapted to receive and accumulate on the left
load bed at least
a third bale of the plurality of bales;
a bale transfer module adapted to alternately transfer the first bale,
received by and
accumulated on the center load bed, across the load bed to the right load bed
or to the left
load bed along a bale transfer axis transverse to the bale receiving axis
responsive to a bale
transfer signal to accumulate the plurality of bales on at least one of the
center load bed,
the right load bed, and the left load bed in a side-by-side relationship; and
a bale discharge module adapted to move between a bale accumulating position
and
a bale discharging position responsive to a bale discharge signal, wherein the
agricultural
bale accumulator is adapted to accumulate at least one of the plurality of
bales on the load

bed when the bale discharge module is located in the bale accumulating
position, and
wherein the agricultural bale accumulator is adapted to discharge at least the
first bale
accumulated on the center load bed to the ground surface when the bale
discharge module
is moved from the bale accumulating position to the bale discharging position.
139. The agricultural bale accumulator according to claim 138, wherein the
bale transfer
module further comprises:
a first mechanism adapted to move at least one of the plurality of bales,
received by
and accumulated on the center load bed, substantially horizontally across the
load bed to
the right load bed and to the left load bed
140. The agricultural bale accumulator according to claim 139, wherein the
first
mechanism further comprises a first push mechanism, wherein the first push
mechanism
extends above the bale receiving surface of the load bed and has a
longitudinal axis
disposed substantially parallel to the bale receiving axis, wherein the first
push mechanism
is adapted move between a first position and a second position, wherein the
first push
mechanism is in the first position when the first push mechanism is located at
a right side
of the center load, wherein the first push mechanism is in the second position
when the
first push mechanism is located at a left side of the center load bed, wherein
the first push
mechanism is adapted to push a bale from the center load bed to the left load
bed along the
bale transfer axis responsive to the first push mechanism moving from the
first position to
the second position, and wherein the first push mechanism is adapted to push a
bale from
the center load bed to the right load bed along the bale transfer axis
responsive to the first
push mechanism moving from the second position to the first position.
141. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 138 to
140,
wherein the bale discharge module further comprises:
a second mechanism adapted to move the at least one of the plurality of bales,
accumulated on the load bed, substantially horizontally along the load bed
towards the rear
side of the agricultural bale accumulator to cause the at least one of the
plurality of bales,
accumulated on the load bed, to be discharged from the rear side of the
agricultural bale
accumulator to the ground surface.
91

142. The agricultural bale accumulator according to claim 141, wherein the
second
mechanism further comprises a second push mechanism, wherein the second push
mechanism extends above the bale receiving surface of the load bed and has a
longitudinal
axis disposed substantially transverse to the bale receiving axis, wherein the
second push
mechanism is adapted move along a bale discharge axis parallel to the bale
receiving axis
between the bale accumulating position and the bale discharging position,
wherein the
second push mechanism is in the bale accumulating position when the second
push
mechanism is moved towards a front side of the load bed, wherein the second
push
mechanism is in the bale discharging position when the second push mechanism
is moved
towards a rear side of the load bed.
143. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to any one of claims 138 to
142,
further comprising:
a hitch assembly mechanically coupled to a front side of the agricultural bale
accumulator and adapted to mechanically couple and decouple the front side of
the
agricultural bale accumulator to a mating hitch assembly on a rear side of the
agricultural
baler to permit the agricultural bale accumulator to be towed by the
agricultural baler; and
first and second pairs of castor wheels mechanically coupled to the
agricultural bale
accumulator at first and second locations, respectively, and adapted to pivot
about first and
second substantially vertical axes, respectively, wherein the first and second
pair of castor
wheels, having a common axis of rotation transverse to a longitudinal axis of
the
agricultural bale accumulator, support the agricultural bale accumulator from
the ground
surface to permit the agricultural bale accumulator to be transported across
the ground
surface in the direction of travel.
144. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to any one of claims 138 to
143,
further comprising:
a bale position sensing module adapted to generate at least one bale position
signal
responsive to determining a position of at least one bale accumulated on at
least one of the
center load bed, the right load bed, and the left load bed.
145. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to claim 144, wherein the
bale
position sensing module further comprises:
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at least one sensing plate having at a predetermined location, and moveable
between a first position at least coplanar with the bale receiving surface,
and a second
position extending above the bale receiving surface, wherein the sensing plate
is located in
the first position responsive to a bale applying a force on the sensing plate,
and wherein the
sensing plate is located in the second position responsive to a bale not
applying a force on
the sensing plate; and
a switch coupled to the sensing plate, wherein the switch has a first switch
state
responsive to the sensing plate being located in the first position to
generate a first bale
position signal, and wherein the switch has a second switch state responsive
to the sensing
plate being located in the second position to generate a second bale position
signal.
146. Agricultural bale accumulator, according to any one of claims 138 to 145,
further
comprising:
a controller adapted to generate the bale transfer signal and the bale
discharge
signal to control the bale transfer module and the bale discharge module,
respectively,
wherein each of the bale transfer signal and the bale discharge signal is
represented
by at least one of one of at least one bale position signal and an operator
control signal.
147. The agricultural bale accumulator, according any one of claims 138 to
146, further
comprising:
a hydraulic fluid distribution system including at least a first hydraulic
fluid
distribution path, at least a second hydraulic fluid distribution path, and at
least a third
hydraulic fluid distribution path, and adapted to selectively couple
pressurized hydraulic
fluid received by the at least the first hydraulic fluid distribution path
from a hydraulic
fluid source to the at least the second hydraulic fluid distribution path, at
a first time, and
to the at least the third hydraulic fluid distribution path, at a second time,
different from the
first time.
148. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to claim 147, further
comprising:
a first bale accumulator module adapted to perform a first mechanical function
at
the first time responsive to receiving a first force generated by the
pressurized hydraulic
fluid received from the at least the second hydraulic fluid distribution path;
and
93

a second bale accumulator module adapted to perform a second mechanical
function, different from the first function, at the second time, responsive to
receiving a
second force generated by the pressurized hydraulic fluid received from the at
least the
third hydraulic fluid distribution path.
149. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to claim 148, further
comprising:
a first hydraulic fluid cylinder adapted to be mechanically coupled to and in
fluid
communication with the second set of hydraulic fluid ports, and adapted to
move between
a first position of the first hydraulic fluid cylinder and a second position
of the first
hydraulic fluid cylinder responsive to the pressurized hydraulic fluid,
wherein the first bale accumulator module further includes:
a first mechanical part adapted to move between a first position of the first
mechanical part and a second position of the first mechanical part responsive
to the first
hydraulic fluid cylinder moving between the first position of the first
hydraulic fluid
cylinder and the second position of the first hydraulic fluid cylinder,
respectively; and
a second hydraulic fluid cylinder adapted to be mechanically coupled to and in
fluid communication with the second set of hydraulic fluid ports, and adapted
to move
between a first position of the second hydraulic fluid cylinder and a second
position of the
second fluid hydraulic cylinder responsive to the pressurized hydraulic fluid;
wherein the second bale accumulator module further includes:
a second mechanical part adapted to move between a first position of the
second mechanical part and a second position of the second mechanical part
responsive to
the second hydraulic fluid cylinder moving between the first position of the
second
hydraulic fluid cylinder and the second position of the second hydraulic fluid
cylinder,
respectively.
150. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to claim 147, further
comprising:
a hydraulic fluid valve including:
a first set of hydraulic fluid ports mechanically coupled to and in fluid
communication with the at least the first hydraulic fluid distribution path,
a second set of hydraulic fluid ports mechanically coupled to and in fluid
communication with the at least the second hydraulic fluid distribution path,
and
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a third set of hydraulic fluid ports mechanically coupled to and in fluid
communication with the at least the third hydraulic fluid distribution path,
wherein the hydraulic fluid valve is adapted to selectively couple the
pressurized hydraulic fluid received by the first set of hydraulic fluid ports
from the
hydraulic fluid source to the second set of hydraulic fluid ports, at the
first time, and the
third set of hydraulic fluid ports, at the second time, different from the
first time; and
a controller adapted to cause the hydraulic fluid valve to selectively couple
the
pressurized hydraulic fluid from the least the first hydraulic fluid
distribution path to one
of the at least the second hydraulic fluid distribution path and the at least
the third
hydraulic fluid distribution path.
151. The agricultural bale accumulator, according claim 150, further
comprising:
a first set of hydraulic fluid lines adapted to be mechanically coupled to and
in fluid
communication with the first set of hydraulic fluid ports to distribute the
pressurized
hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic fluid source to the first set of hydraulic
fluid ports;
a second set of hydraulic fluid lines adapted to be mechanically coupled to
and in
fluid communication with the second set of hydraulic fluid ports to distribute
the
pressurized hydraulic fluid from the second set of hydraulic fluid ports to
the first
hydraulic fluid cylinder; and
a third set of hydraulic fluid lines adapted to be mechanically coupled to and
in
fluid communication with the third set of hydraulic fluid ports to distribute
the pressurized
hydraulic fluid from the third set of hydraulic fluid ports to the second
hydraulic fluid
cylinder.
152. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to any one of claims 138 to
151,
wherein the first bale accumulator module and the second bale accumulator
module further
comprise:
two different corresponding bale accumulator modules selected from the
following
bale accumulator modules:
a bale movement module;
the bale transfer module;
the bale discharge module; and
a load bed extension module.

153. The agricultural bale accumulator, according any one of claims 138 to
152, further
comprising:
a load bed extension module including:
a first extension table which is substantially planar;
a first extension table attachment mechanism connected to the first
extension table and the base module to permit the first extension table to be
moveable in a
direction along the bale transfer axis transverse to the bale receiving axis
relative to the
base module between a stowed position and an unstowed position, wherein the
first
extension table is substantially co-planar with the load bed and adjacent to a
first side of
the load bed when the first extension table is in the unstowed position to
permit the first
extension table to accumulate thereon at least one of the plurality of bales,
wherein the
agricultural bale accumulator has a first lateral width dimension along the
bale transfer
axis and a first bale accumulating capacity when the first extension table is
in the stowed
position, wherein the agricultural bale accumulator has a second lateral width
dimension
along the bale transfer axis and a second bale accumulating capacity when the
first
extension table is in the unstowed position, wherein the first lateral width
dimension is less
than the second lateral width dimension, and wherein the first bale
accumulating capacity
is less than the second bale accumulating capacity.
154. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to claim 153, further
comprising:
a first extension table support system contacting the first extension table at
a
location beyond the first extension table attachment mechanism to support the
first
extension table when the first extension table is in the unstowed position.
155. An agricultural bale accumulator comprising:
a base module including:
a load bed, having a substantially planar bale receiving surface, and adapted
to receive thereon a plurality of bales, including a leading bale immediately
followed by a
trailing bale, successively ejected from a bale chamber of an agricultural
baler along a bale
receiving axis in a bale traveling direction, opposite to a direction of
travel of the
agricultural bale accumulator, towards a rear side of the agricultural bale
accumulator to
accumulate the plurality of bales on the load bed, wherein the load bed
further includes:
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a center load bed adapted to successively receive and accumulate on
the center load bed at least a first bale of the plurality of bales ejected
from the bale
chamber of the agricultural baler;
a right load bed, located adjacent to a right side of the center load
bed, adapted to receive and accumulate on the right load bed at least a second
bale of the
plurality of bales; and
a left load bed, located adjacent to a left side, opposite to the right
side, of the center load bed, adapted to receive and accumulate on the left
load bed at least
a third bale of the plurality of bales;
a bale transfer module adapted to alternately transfer the first bale,
received by and
accumulated on the center load bed, across the load bed to the right load bed
or to the left
load bed along a bale transfer axis transverse to the bale receiving axis
responsive to a bale
transfer signal to accumulate the plurality of bales on at least one of the
center load bed,
the right load bed, and the left load bed in a side-by-side relationship; and
a bale discharge module adapted to move between a bale accumulating position
and
a bale discharging position responsive to a bale discharge signal, wherein the
agricultural
bale accumulator is adapted to accumulate at least one of the plurality of
bales on the load
bed when the bale discharge module is located in the bale accumulating
position, and
wherein the agricultural bale accumulator is adapted to discharge the
plurality of bales that
are accumulated on the load bed from the load bed to the ground surface when
the bale
discharge module is moved from the bale accumulating position to the bale
discharging
position to form a first bale discharge pattern on the ground surface in
response to:
a. each of the first, second, and third bales being accumulated on and being
discharged from the center, right, and left load beds, respectively, to
provide three
bales in the side-by-side relationship on the ground surface.
156. The agricultural bale accumulator according to claim 155, wherein the
agricultural
bale accumulator is adapted to discharge the plurality of bales that are
accumulated on the
load bed from the load bed to the ground surface when the bale discharge
module is moved
from the bale accumulating position to the bale discharging position to form a
second bale
discharge pattern on the ground surface in response to:
b. each of the second and third bales being accumulated on and being
discharge from the right and left load beds, respectively, to provide two
bales
97

spaced apart by at least a lateral width dimension of one bale on the ground
surface.
157. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 155 or
156,
wherein the agricultural bale accumulator is adapted to discharge the
plurality of bales that
are accumulated on the load bed from the load bed to the ground surface when
the bale
discharge module is moved from the bale accumulating position to the bale
discharging
position to form a third bale discharge pattern on the ground surface in
response to:
c. each of the first bale accumulated being accumulated on and being
discharge from on the center load bed, and one of the second and third bales
being accumulated on and being discharge from the right and left load beds,
respectively, to provide two bales in the side-by-side relationship on the
ground
surface.
158. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 155 to
157,
wherein the agricultural bale accumulator is adapted to discharge the
plurality of bales that
are accumulated on the load bed from the load bed to the ground surface when
the bale
discharge module is moved from the bale accumulating position to the bale
discharging
position to form a fourth bale discharge pattern on the ground surface in
response to:
d. at least the first bale being accumulated on and being discharge from the
center load bed to provide one bale on the ground surface.
159. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 155 to
158,
wherein the agricultural bale accumulator is adapted to discharge the
plurality of bales that
are accumulated on the load bed from the load bed to the ground surface when
the bale
discharge module is moved from the bale accumulating position to the bale
discharging
position to form a fifth bale discharge pattern on the ground surface in
response to:
e. one of the second and third bales being accumulated on and being discharge
from the right and left load beds, respectively, to provide one bale on the
ground surface.
160. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 155 to
159,
wherein the bale transfer module further comprises:
98

a first mechanism adapted to move at least one of the plurality of bales,
received by
and accumulated on the center load bed, substantially horizontally across the
load bed to
the right load bed and to the left load bed
161. The agricultural bale accumulator according to claim 160, wherein the
first
mechanism further comprises a first push mechanism, wherein the first push
mechanism
extends above the bale receiving surface of the load bed and has a
longitudinal axis
disposed substantially parallel to the bale receiving axis, wherein the first
push mechanism
is adapted move between a first position and a second position, wherein the
first push
mechanism is in the first position when the first push mechanism is located at
a right side
of the center load, wherein the first push mechanism is in the second position
when the
first push mechanism is located at a left side of the center load bed, wherein
the first push
mechanism is adapted to push a bale from the center load bed to the left load
bed along the
bale transfer axis responsive to the first push mechanism moving from the
first position to
the second position, and wherein the first push mechanism is adapted to push a
bale from
the center load bed to the right load bed along the bale transfer axis
responsive to the first
push mechanism moving from the second position to the first position.
162. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 155 to
161,
wherein the bale discharge module further comprises:
a second mechanism adapted to move the at least one of the plurality of bales,
accumulated on the load bed, substantially horizontally along the load bed
towards the rear
side of the agricultural bale accumulator to cause the at least one of the
plurality of bales,
accumulated on the load bed, to be discharged from the rear side of the
agricultural bale
accumulator to the ground surface.
163. The agricultural bale accumulator according to claim 162, wherein the
second
mechanism further comprises a second push mechanism, wherein the second push
mechanism extends above the bale receiving surface of the load bed and has a
longitudinal
axis disposed substantially transverse to the bale receiving axis, wherein the
second push
mechanism is adapted move along a bale discharge axis parallel to the bale
receiving axis
between the bale accumulating position and the bale discharging position,
wherein the
second push mechanism is in the bale accumulating position when the second
push
99

mechanism is moved towards a front side of the load bed, wherein the second
push
mechanism is in the bale discharging position when the second push mechanism
is moved
towards a rear side of the load bed.
164. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to any one of claims 155 to
163,
further comprising:
a hitch assembly mechanically coupled to a front side of the agricultural bale
accumulator and adapted to mechanically couple and decouple the front side of
the
agricultural bale accumulator to a mating hitch assembly on a rear side of the
agricultural
baler to permit the agricultural bale accumulator to be towed by the
agricultural baler; and
first and second pairs of castor wheels mechanically coupled to the
agricultural bale
accumulator at first and second locations, respectively, and adapted to pivot
about first and
second substantially vertical axes, respectively, wherein the first and second
pair of castor
wheels, having a common axis of rotation transverse to a longitudinal axis of
the
agricultural bale accumulator, support the agricultural bale accumulator from
the ground
surface to permit the agricultural bale accumulator to be transported across
the ground
surface in the direction of travel.
165. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to any one of claims 155 to
164,
further comprising:
a bale position sensing module adapted to generate at least one bale position
signal
responsive to determining a position of at least one bale accumulated on at
least one of the
center load bed, the right load bed, and the left load bed.
166. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to claim 165, wherein the
bale
position sensing module further comprises:
at least one sensing plate having at a predetermined location, and moveable
between a first position at least coplanar with the bale receiving surface,
and a second
position extending above the bale receiving surface, wherein the sensing plate
is located in
the first position responsive to a bale applying a force on the sensing plate,
and wherein the
sensing plate is located in the second position responsive to a bale not
applying a force on
the sensing plate; and
100

a switch coupled to the sensing plate, wherein the switch has a first switch
state
responsive to the sensing plate being located in the first position to
generate a first bale
position signal, and wherein the switch has a second switch state responsive
to the sensing
plate being located in the second position to generate a second bale position
signal.
167. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to any one of claims 155 to
166,
further comprising:
a controller adapted to generate the bale transfer signal and the bale
discharge
signal to control the bale transfer module and the bale discharge module,
respectively,
wherein each of the bale transfer signal and the bale discharge signal is
represented
by at least one of one of at least one bale position signal and an operator
control signal.
168. The agricultural bale accumulator, according any one of claims 155 to
167, further
comprising:
a hydraulic fluid distribution system including at least a first hydraulic
fluid
distribution path, at least a second hydraulic fluid distribution path, and at
least a third
hydraulic fluid distribution path, and adapted to selectively couple
pressurized hydraulic
fluid received by the at least the first hydraulic fluid distribution path
from a hydraulic
fluid source to the at least the second hydraulic fluid distribution path, at
a first time, and
to the at least the third hydraulic fluid distribution path, at a second time,
different from the
first time.
169. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to claim 168, further
comprising:
a first bale accumulator module adapted to perform a first mechanical function
at
the first time responsive to receiving a first force generated by the
pressurized hydraulic
fluid received from the at least the second hydraulic fluid distribution path;
and
a second bale accumulator module adapted to perform a second mechanical
function, different from the first function, at the second time, responsive to
receiving a
second force generated by the pressurized hydraulic fluid received from the at
least the
third hydraulic fluid distribution path.
170. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to claim 169, further
comprising:
101

a first hydraulic fluid cylinder adapted to be mechanically coupled to and in
fluid
communication with the second set of hydraulic fluid ports, and adapted to
move between
a first position of the first hydraulic fluid cylinder and a second position
of the first
hydraulic fluid cylinder responsive to the pressurized hydraulic fluid,
wherein the first bale accumulator module further includes:
a first mechanical part adapted to move between a first position of the first
mechanical part and a second position of the first mechanical part responsive
to the first
hydraulic fluid cylinder moving between the first position of the first
hydraulic fluid
cylinder and the second position of the first hydraulic fluid cylinder,
respectively; and
a second hydraulic fluid cylinder adapted to be mechanically coupled to and in
fluid communication with the second set of hydraulic fluid ports, and adapted
to move
between a first position of the second hydraulic fluid cylinder and a second
position of the
second fluid hydraulic cylinder responsive to the pressurized hydraulic fluid;
wherein the second bale accumulator module further includes:
a second mechanical part adapted to move between a first position of the
second mechanical part and a second position of the second mechanical part
responsive to
the second hydraulic fluid cylinder moving between the first position of the
second
hydraulic fluid cylinder and the second position of the second hydraulic fluid
cylinder,
respectively.
171. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to any one of claims 168 to
170,
further comprising:
a hydraulic fluid valve including:
a first set of hydraulic fluid ports mechanically coupled to and in fluid
communication with the at least the first hydraulic fluid distribution path,
a second set of hydraulic fluid ports mechanically coupled to and in fluid
communication with the at least the second hydraulic fluid distribution path,
and
a third set of hydraulic fluid ports mechanically coupled to and in fluid
communication with the at least the third hydraulic fluid distribution path,
wherein the hydraulic fluid valve is adapted to selectively couple the
pressurized hydraulic fluid received by the first set of hydraulic fluid ports
from the
hydraulic fluid source to the second set of hydraulic fluid ports, at the
first time, and the
third set of hydraulic fluid ports, at the second time, different from the
first time; and
102

a controller adapted to cause the hydraulic fluid valve to selectively couple
the
pressurized hydraulic fluid from the least the first hydraulic fluid
distribution path to one
of the at least the second hydraulic fluid distribution path and the at least
the third
hydraulic fluid distribution path.
172. The agricultural bale accumulator, according claim 171, further
comprising:
a first set of hydraulic fluid lines adapted to be mechanically coupled to and
in fluid
communication with the first set of hydraulic fluid ports to distribute the
pressurized
hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic fluid source to the first set of hydraulic
fluid ports;
a second set of hydraulic fluid lines adapted to be mechanically coupled to
and in
fluid communication with the second set of hydraulic fluid ports to distribute
the
pressurized hydraulic fluid from the second set of hydraulic fluid ports to
the first
hydraulic fluid cylinder; and
a third set of hydraulic fluid lines adapted to be mechanically coupled to and
in
fluid communication with the third set of hydraulic fluid ports to distribute
the pressurized
hydraulic fluid from the third set of hydraulic fluid ports to the second
hydraulic fluid
cylinder.
173. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to any one of claims 169 to
172,
wherein the first bale accumulator module and the second bale accumulator
module further
comprise:
two different corresponding bale accumulator modules selected from the
following
bale accumulator modules:
a bale movement module;
the bale transfer module;
the bale discharge module; and
a load bed extension module.
174. The agricultural bale accumulator, according any one of claims 155 to
173, further
comprising:
a load bed extension module including:
a first extension table which is substantially planar;
103

a first extension table attachment mechanism connected to the first
extension table and the base module to permit the first extension table to be
moveable in a
direction along the bale transfer axis transverse to the bale receiving axis
relative to the
base module between a stowed position and an unstowed position, wherein the
first
extension table is substantially co-planar with the load bed and adjacent to a
first side of
the load bed when the first extension table is in the unstowed position to
permit the first
extension table to accumulate thereon at least one of the plurality of bales,
wherein the
agricultural bale accumulator has a first lateral width dimension along the
bale transfer
axis and a first bale accumulating capacity when the first extension table is
in the stowed
position, wherein the agricultural bale accumulator has a second lateral width
dimension
along the bale transfer axis and a second bale accumulating capacity when the
first
extension table is in the unstowed position, wherein the first lateral width
dimension is less
than the second lateral width dimension, and wherein the first bale
accumulating capacity
is less than the second bale accumulating capacity.
175. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to claim 174, further
comprising:
a first extension table support system contacting the first extension table at
a
location beyond the first extension table attachment mechanism to support the
first
extension table when the first extension table is in the unstowed position.
176. The agricultural bale accumulator according to claim 175, wherein the
first
extension table support system contacts the first extension table above a bale
receiving
surface of the first extension table to support the first extension table when
the first
extension table is in the unstowed position.
177. The agricultural bale accumulator according to claims 175 or 176, wherein
the first
extension table support system contacts the first extension table below a bale
receiving
surface of the first extension table to support the first extension table when
the first
extension table is in the unstowed position.
178. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 175 to
177,
wherein the first extension table support system is connected to the base
module.
104

179. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 175 to
178,
wherein the first extension table support system is connected to the load bed.
180. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 175 to
179,
wherein the first extension table support system is connected to a main frame
supporting
the load bed.
181. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 175 to
180,
wherein the first extension table support system is connected to the first
extension table.
182. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 175 to
181,
wherein the first extension table support system contacts the base module to
support the
first extension table from the base module when the first extension table is
in the unstowed
position.
183. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 175 to
182,
wherein the first extension table support system contacts the load bed to
support the first
extension table from the load bed when the first extension table is in the
unstowed
position.
184. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 175 to
183,
wherein the first extension table support system contacts a main frame,
supporting the load
bed, to support the first extension table from the main frame when the first
extension table
is in the unstowed position.
185. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 175 to
184,
wherein the first extension table support system contacts the ground surface
to support the
first extension table from the ground surface when the first extension table
is in the
unstowed position.
186. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 175 to
185,
wherein the first extension table support system further comprises:
105

a first support wheel connected to the first extension table and moveable with
the
first extension table when the first extension table moves between the stowed
position and
the unstowed position, wherein the first support wheel contacts the ground
surface to
support the first extension table from the ground surface when the first
extension table is in
the unstowed position.
187. The agricultural bale accumulator according to claim 186 further
comprising:
a first wheel and a second wheel coupled to the main frame, wherein the first
wheel
and the second wheel contact the ground surface to support the base module
from the
ground surface and to permit the agricultural bale accumulator to be
transported across the
ground surface, and wherein the first wheel, the second wheel and the first
support wheel
share a common axis of rotation when the first extension table is in the
unstowed position.
188. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 175 to
187,
wherein the first extension table support system further comprises:
a first frame extension member connected to the first extension table and
moveable
with the first extension table when the first extension table moves between
the stowed
position and the unstowed position, wherein an end surface of the first frame
extension
member contacts an end surface of the base module to support the first
extension table
from the base module when the first extension table is in the unstowed
position.
189. The agricultural bale accumulator according to claim 188:
wherein the end surface the first frame extension member has a downward angle
relative to a horizontal axis when the first extension table is in the
unstowed position,
wherein the end surface on the base module has an upward angle relative to the
horizontal axis which is complementary to the downward angle, and
wherein the end surface the first frame extension member contacts the end
surface
on the base module to translate an upward force through the first frame
extension member
to support the first extension table from the base module when the first
extension table is in
the unstowed position.
190. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 175 to
189,
wherein the first extension table support system further comprises:
106

a second frame extension member having a first end connected to the base
module
and a second end connected to the first extension table and being moveable
between a
collapsed position and an expanded position, wherein the second frame
extension member
is in one of the collapsed position and the expanded position when the first
extension table
is in the unstowed position, wherein the second frame extension member is in
one of the
expanded position and collapsed position, respectively, when the first
extension table is in
the stowed position, and wherein the second frame extension member is
connected to the
first extension table and the base module to support the first extension table
from the base
module when the first extension table is in the unstowed position.
191. The agricultural bale accumulator according to claim 190, wherein the
second
frame extension member further comprises:
a first hydraulic fluid cylinder for moving the first extension table between
the
stowed position and the unstowed position responsive to receiving pressurized
hydraulic
fluid from a hydraulic fluid source.
192. The agricultural bale accumulator according to claims 190 or 191, wherein
the
second frame extension member further comprises:
at least one spring member, connected to at least one of the base module, the
first
extension table and the second frame extension member, for exerting a bias
force on the
first extension table when the first extension table is moved to at least one
of the stowed
position and the unstowed position.
193. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 175 to
192,
wherein the first extension table support system further comprises:
a third frame extension member having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein
the proximal end of the third frame extension member is connected to the main
frame,
wherein a distal end of the third frame extension member extends beyond the
main frame
in the lateral direction along the second axis at a fixed position which is
located inside the
first lateral width dimension of the agricultural bale accumulator to permit
safe traveling of
the agricultural bale accumulator on a public roadway when the first extension
table is in
the stowed position, and
107

wherein a first portion of the first extension table is positioned inside the
distal end
of the third frame extension member and a second portion of the first
extension table is
positioned outside the distal end of the third frame extension member when the
first
extension table is in the unstowed position to permit the third frame
extension member to
contact the first extension table between the first portion of the first
extension table and the
second portion of the first extension table to support the first extension
table from the main
frame when the first extension table is in the unstowed position.
194. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 175 to
193,
wherein the first extension table support system further comprises:
a fourth frame extension member having a proximal end and a distal end; and
a frame attachment mechanism connected to the proximal end of the fourth frame
extension member and the main frame to permit the distal end of the fourth
frame
extension member to be moveable in the lateral direction along the second axis
relative to
the main frame between a stowed position and an unstowed position, wherein the
distal
end of the fourth frame extension member moves towards the main frame when the
fourth
frame extension member is in the stowed position, wherein the distal end of
the fourth
frame extension member moves away from the main frame when the fourth frame
extension member is in the unstowed position, wherein the distal end of the
fourth frame
extension member contacts the first extension table to support the first
extension table
from the main frame when the fourth frame extension member is in the unstowed
position
and when the first extension table is in the unstowed position.
195. The agricultural bale accumulator according to claim 194, wherein the
frame
attachment mechanism further comprises:
a pivoting mechanism for pivotally connecting the proximal end of the fourth
frame
extension member to the main frame about a vertical axis relative to the main
frame.
196. The agricultural bale accumulator according to claim 194, wherein the
frame
attachment mechanism further comprises:
a telescoping mechanism for telescopically connecting the proximal end of the
fourth frame extension member to the main frame along a horizontal axis
relative to the
main frame.
108

197. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 194, 195
or 196,
wherein the first extension table support system further comprises:
a first support wheel connected to the distal end of the fourth frame
extension
member and moveable with the fourth frame extension member when the fourth
frame
extension member moves between the stowed position and the unstowed position,
wherein
the first support wheel contacts the ground surface to support the first
extension table from
the ground surface when the fourth frame extension member is in the unstowed
position
and when the first extension table is in the unstowed position.
198. The agricultural bale accumulator according to claim 197:
wherein the first support wheel provides a sole support for a first side of
the base
module from the ground surface to permit the agricultural bale accumulator to
be
transported across the ground surface when the first extension table is in the
stowed
position and when the fourth frame extension member is in the stowed position,
and
wherein the first support wheel provides the sole support for the first side
of the base
module and the first extension table from the ground surface to permit the
agricultural bale
accumulator to be transported across the ground surface when the first
extension table is in
the unstowed position and when the fourth frame extension member is in the
unstowed
position.
199. The agricultural bale accumulator according to claim 197 further
comprising:
a first wheel and a second wheel coupled to the main frame, wherein the first
wheel
and the second wheel contact the ground surface to support the base module
from the
ground surface and to permit the agricultural bale accumulator to be
transported across the
ground surface when the first extension table is in the stowed position and
the unstowed
position, and when the fourth frame extension member is in the stowed position
and the
unstowed position, wherein the first support wheel contacts the ground surface
to support
the first extension table from the ground surface when the fourth frame
extension member
is in the unstowed position, and wherein the first wheel, the second wheel and
the first
support wheel share a common axis of rotation when the fourth frame extension
member is
in at least the unstowed position.
109

200. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 175 to
199,
wherein the load bed extension module further comprises:
a second extension table which is substantially planar;
a second extension table attachment mechanism connected to the second
extension
table and the base module to permit the second extension table to be moveable
in the
lateral direction along the second axis relative to the base module between a
stowed
position and an unstowed position, wherein the second extension table is
substantially co-
planar with the load bed and adjacent to a second side of the load bed when
the second
extension table is in the unstowed position to permit the second extension
table to
accumulate thereon at least one of the plurality of bales, wherein the
agricultural bale
accumulator has the first lateral width dimension along the second axis and
the first bale
accumulating capacity when the first extension table and the second extension
table are
each in their respective stowed positions, and wherein the agricultural bale
accumulator
has the second lateral width dimension along the second axis and the second
bale
accumulating capacity when the first extension table and the second extension
table are
each in their respective unstowed positions; and
a second extension table support system connected to at least one of the base
module and the second extension table, wherein the second extension table
support system
contacts the second extension table at a location beyond the second extension
table
attachment mechanism at the second side of the load bed and contacts at least
one of the
base module and the ground surface to support the second extension table from
at least one
of the base module and the ground surface, respectively, when the second
extension table
is in the unstowed position,
wherein the second extension table support system has the same dependent
limitations as the first extension table support system according to any one
of claims 176
to 199.
201. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 175 to
200,
further comprising:
a third extension table which is substantially planar;
a third extension table attachment mechanism connected to the third extension
table
and the first extension table to permit the third extension table to be
moveable with the first
extension table relative to the base module when the first extension table
moves between
110

the stowed position and the unstowed position, wherein the third extension
table is
moveable in the lateral direction along the second axis between a stowed
position and an
unstowed position relative to the first extension table, wherein the third
extension table is
substantially co-planar with the load bed and the first extension table and
adjacent to the
first extension table when the first extension table and the third extension
table are each in
their unstowed positions to permit the third extension table to accumulate
thereon at least
one of the plurality of bales, wherein the agricultural bale accumulator has
the first lateral
width dimension along the second axis and the first bale accumulating capacity
when the
first extension table and the third extension table are each in their
respective stowed
positions, and wherein the agricultural bale accumulator has the second
lateral width
dimension along the second axis and the second bale accumulating capacity when
the first
extension table and the third extension table are each in their respective
unstowed
positions; and
a third extension table support system connected to at least one of the base
module,
the first extension table and the third extension table, wherein the third
extension table
support system contacts the third extension table at a location beyond the
third extension
table attachment mechanism at the first extension table and contacts at least
one of the base
module, the first extension table, and the ground surface to support the third
extension
table from at least one of the base module, the first extension table, and the
ground surface,
respectively, when the first extension table and the third extension table are
each in their
unstowed positions,
wherein the third extension table support system has the same dependent
limitations as the first extension table support system according to any one
of claims 176
to 199.
202. The agricultural bale accumulator according to claim 201:
wherein the first extension table attachment mechanism further comprises a
first
hinge for pivotally connecting the first extension table to the base module
about a first
hinge axis,
wherein the third extension table attachment mechanism further comprises a
third
hinge for pivotally connecting the third extension table to the first
extension table about a
third hinge axis,
111

wherein the first extension table pivots upwards towards the base module about
the
first hinge axis when the first extension table is in the stowed position, and
wherein the third extension table pivots upwards towards the base module and
the
first extension table about the third hinge axis when the third extension
table is in the
stowed position.
203. The agricultural bale accumulator according to claim 201:
wherein the first extension table attachment mechanism further comprises a
first
hinge for pivotally connecting the first extension table to the base module
about a first
hinge axis,
wherein the third extension table attachment mechanism further comprises a
third
hinge for pivotally connecting the third extension table to the first
extension table about a
third hinge axis,
wherein the first extension table pivots upwards towards the base module about
the
first hinge axis when the first extension table is in the stowed position, and
wherein the third extension table pivots downwards towards the base module and
the first extension table about the third hinge axis when the third extension
table is in the
stowed position.
204. The agricultural bale accumulator according to claim 201:
wherein the first extension table attachment mechanism further a first
telescoping
mechanism for telescopically connecting a proximal end of the first extension
table to the
base module in the lateral direction along the second axis relative to the
base module,
wherein the third extension table attachment mechanism further comprises a
first
telescoping mechanism for telescopically connecting a proximal end of the
third extension
table to a distal end of the first extension table in the lateral direction
along the second axis
relative to the base module,
wherein the first extension table telescopes along the horizontal axis to a
first
position substantially inside the base module when the first extension table
is in the stowed
position, and wherein the third extension table telescopes along the
horizontal axis to a
first position substantially inside the first extension table when the third
extension table is
in the stowed position, and
112

wherein the first extension table telescopes along the horizontal axis to a
second
position substantially outside the base module when the first extension table
is in the
unstowed position, and wherein the third extension table telescopes along the
horizontal
axis to a second position substantially outside the first extension table when
the third
extension table is in the unstowed position.
205. The agricultural bale accumulator according to claim 202, 203, or 204:
wherein a top surface of the first extension table is lower than a top surface
of the
load bed by a first predetermined distance when the first extension table is
in the unstowed
position, and
wherein a top surface of the third extension table is lower than the top
surface of
the first extension table by a second predetermined distance when the third
extension table
is in the unstowed position.
206. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 175 to
205,
wherein the load bed extension module is attachable to and detachable from the
base
module independently of any other module on the agricultural bale accumulator.
207. The agricultural bale accumulator according any one of claims 175 to 206,
further
comprising:
a first bale discharging capacity including one to three bales when the first
extension table and the second extension table are each in their stowed
positions, wherein
the first bale accumulating capacity includes one to three bales when the
first extension
table and the second extension table are each in their stowed positions; and
a second bale discharging capacity including one to five bales when the first
extension table and the second extension table are each in their unstowed
positions,
wherein the second bale accumulating capacity includes one to five bales when
the first
extension table and the second extension table are each in their unstowed
positions.
208. The agricultural bale accumulator according any one of claims 175 to 206,
further
comprising:
a first bale discharging capacity including one bale when the first extension
table
and the second extension table are each in their stowed positions, wherein the
first bale
113

accumulating capacity includes one bale when the first extension table and the
second
extension table are each in their stowed positions; and
a second bale discharging capacity including one to three bales when the first
extension table and the second extension table are each in their unstowed
positions,
wherein the second bale accumulating capacity includes one to three bales when
the first
extension table and the second extension table are each in their unstowed
positions.
209. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 175 to
208,
wherein the first extension table is disposed perpendicular to the load bed,
above a bale
receiving surface of the load bed, and adjacent to a first side of the load
bed when the first
extension table is in the stowed position.
210. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 175 to
209,
wherein the first extension table attachment mechanism further comprises:
a first hinge for pivotally coupling the first extension table to the base
module
about a first hinge axis.
211. The agricultural bale accumulator according to any one of claims 175 to
209,
wherein the first extension table attachment mechanism further comprises:
a telescoping mechanism for telescopically coupling the first extension table
to the
base module along the second axis.
212. An agricultural bale accumulator for use with a baler for producing
rectangular
bales of agricultural crops as the baler traverses a field in a forward
direction of travel, and
extruding the bales longitudinally from a rear end of the baler, the
accumulator
comprising:
a hitch for connecting the accumulator to the rear end of the baler to be
towed
thereby;
a platform for receiving bales, extruded by the baler, on a center part of the
platform;
positioning means for alternately arranging the bales, received on the center
part of
the platform, in a selected array on the platform;
a pusher mounted for movement longitudinally of the platform;
114

actuating means on the accumulator for moving the pusher rearwardly along the
platform to move bales along the platform, wherein the actuating means causes
the pusher
to move the bale received on the center part of the platform off of the center
part of the
platform to a ground surface; and
a rear bale support rearwardly of the platform for supporting bales as they
are
moved off of the platform by the pusher.
213. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to claim 212, wherein the
positioning
means comprise an elongate arm member parallel to the direction of travel and
moveable
in a lateral direction to push a bale, received on the center part of the
platform, laterally
across the platform.
214. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to claim 212 or 213, wherein
the
positioning means comprise an elongate arm member parallel to the direction of
travel and
moveable in a lateral direction to push bales extruded sequentially onto the
center part of
the platform to opposite sides of the platform.
215. The agricultural bale accumulator, according to any one of claims 212 to
214,
wherein the pusher is an elongate member disposed perpendicular to the
direction of travel.
115

Description

Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


CA 02302217 2008-07-29
AGRICULTURAL BALE ACCUMULATOR
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to agricultural machinery for
harvesting
crop material such as hay, straw, grass, or the like, and more particularly
the present
invention relates to an agricultural bale accumulator.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A continuing trend to achieve an efficient farming operation and to decrease
manual labor provides the need for efficient and capable agricultural
machinery. One type
of agricultural machinery is used to harvest crop material such as hay, straw,
grass, or the
like.
An agricultural baler (hereinafter referred to as a "baler") is a widely used
piece of
mobile equipment which collects and compresses the crop material as it travels
over the
ground to produce a compact unit of crop, commonly referred to as a bale. The
baler may
comprise a motorized machine driven by an operator or, alternatively, may
comprise a
wheeled frame adapted for traveling alongside or behind a tractor. Typically,
a baler is a
wheeled chassis adapted for hitched connection to a tractor to be towed in
tandem behind
the tractor. After the baler forms a bale, a cord, such as wire or twine, is
tied around the
bale to hold the bale together in its compressed form. The baler ejects the
tied bales
periodically from a bale chamber of a baler as the baler travels over the
ground. Each
ejected bale may be directly discharged either to a bale accumulator or to the
ground for
later pick up by a bale collector in order to make the harvesting of the crop
material more
efficient and to decrease manual labor. Bales provided by either the bale
accumulator or
the bale collector may then be deposited on a vehicle, such as a tractor
trailer, for hauling
to another location for storage.
A bale accumulator is a widely used piece of mobile equipment, which may
comprise a part of a baler or, alternatively, may comprise a wheeled chassis
adapted for
traveling alongside or behind a baler. Typically, a bale accumulator is a
wheeled chassis
adapted for hitched connection to a baler to be towed in tandem behind the
baler.
Examples of conventional bale accumulators are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos.
3,272,352,
4,310,275, 4,215,964, and 4,961,679. A bale accumulator is normally arranged
to receive
a plurality of successive bales as they eject from the bale chamber of the
baler and to
1

CA 02302217 2008-07-29
accumulate the received bales into a group or parcel of accumulated bales for
temporary
storage. The group of accumulated bales may then be discharged onto the ground
in an
ordered array permitting mechanical recovery thereof or, otherwise, be
mechanically
removed from the bale accumulator.
A bale collector is a widely used piece of mobile equipment which may comprise
a
motorized machine driven by an operator or, alternatively, may comprise a
wheeled
chassis adapted for traveling alongside or behind a tractor. Typically, a bale
collector is a
motorized machine driven by an operator. The bale collector is normally
arranged to pick
up individual bales from the ground and to accumulate the retrieved bales into
a group or
parcel of collected bales for temporary storage. The group of collected bales
may then be
discharged onto the ground in an ordered array, permitting mechanical recovery
thereof,
transported to a bale storage location, permitting storage of the group of
collected bales, or
be mechanically removed from the bale collector.
Since the phrases "bale accumulator" and "bale collector" are sometimes
referred
to interchangeably in the agricultural industry, the present invention
generally refers to
both pieces of equipment as a bale accumulator in the sense that both pieces
of equipment
receive and store bales. Therefore, it is contemplated that the present
invention may be
used on a bale collector, as well as the bale accumulator, as described
hereinabove.
Bales vary in size and shape according to the type of baler used to form the
bales.
The types of balers generally include rectangular balers and round balers.
Some
rectangular balers form so-called small-sized bales measuring about 36 cm x 46
cm x 31
cm to 132 cm and weighing 18 kg to 27 kg. Other rectangular balers form so-
called
medium-sized bales measuring about 80 cm x 87 cm x up to 249 cm and weighing
300 to
600 kg. An example of a rectangular baler forming medium-sized bales is
disclosed in
U.S. Patent No. 4,525,991. Still other rectangular balers form so-called large-
sized bales
measuring about 118 cm x 127 by up to 274 cm and weighing up to 1000 kg.
Examples of
rectangular balers forming large-sized bales are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos.
4,034,543
and 4,307,528. Some round balers form so-called cylindrical-sized bales
measuring about
1.75 m in diameter x 1.75 m long and weighing 450 kg to 675 kg.
The bale accumulator of the present invention is particularly well-suited for
use in
conjunction with rectangular balers producing the medium-sized bales. However,
it will
be apparent from the description and claims that follow that the principles of
the present
invention are not limited to bale accumulators for rectangular balers
producing medium-
2

CA 02302217 2008-07-29
sized bales. The present invention may be utilized with great effectiveness in
conjunction
with rectangular balers producing the large-sized bales, rectangular balers
producing the
small-sized bales, as well as round balers producing the cylindrical-sized
bales.
U.S. Patent Nos. 4,961,679 and 4,955,774 each disclose an agricultural bale
accumulator having a bale-transfer and bale-turning mechanism attached to one
side of a
chassis and an extension table pivotally attached to an opposite side of the
chassis. The
extension table is moveable between a horizontal bale accumulating position
and a vertical
transport position. The extension table and a main bale-receiving table,
supported by the
chassis, form a load bed for accumulating thereon up to four medium sized
bales. The
extension table can accommodate one bale when located in the horizontal
operative
position. When the extension table is attached to the chassis, an additional
castor wheel is
provided on a main axle supporting the chassis in order to accommodate the
extra load that
can be accumulated on the extension table. Bales received on one side of the
load bed are
turned 90 degrees and transferred across the load bed. The bales are
discharged using a
bale-discharge conveyor, which pushes the bales accumulated on the load bed
off the load
bed to the ground.
However, U.S. Patent Nos. 4,961,679 and 4,955,774 do not disclose a support
system that contacts the extension table at a location beyond a side of a
chassis to which
the extension table is attached. Therefore, the extension table does not have
any direct
support for a bale accumulated thereon from either the chassis or the ground.
A lack of
direct support for the extension table places all the stress due to the weight
of a bale on the
hinge that may weaken or break over time under normally rigorous field
conditions. These
patents also do not disclose attaching the extension table to the main bale-
receiving table.
These patents also do not disclose a bale discharge module for moving the main
bale-
receiving table between a bale accumulating position and bale discharging
position,
wherein the main bale-receiving table is in a horizontal position and an
inclined position,
respectively, relative to the chassis. Therefore, these patents do not teach
or suggest a need
for supporting an extension table, at a location beyond a side of the load bed
to which the
extension table is attached, when the extension table is in the unstowed
position and when
the load bed is in a bale accumulating position and/or a bale discharging
position relative
to a main frame.
U.S. Patent No. 4,844,675 discloses an agricultural bale accumulator having a
center table, a right table, and a left table. The center table receives large-
sized bales from
3

CA 02302217 2008-07-29
a bale chamber of a baler. A push bar pushes a bale on the center table to the
right or left
table. The right and left tables are provided with associated extensions which
appear to
have a width dimension approximately equal to one third a width dimension of
each of the
right and left tables. A hinge connects each extension to its associated table
so that it may
be moved between a transport and storage position on a top surface of its
associated table
and an unfolded position coplanar with its associated table. When an extension
is in its
transport and storage position, a sensor is actuated to give a false
indication that a bale in
on its associated table. The sensor provides a control signal to the push bar
to prevent
movement of the push bar toward that table thereby preventing damage to the
push bar that
would result if a bale were moved onto a table whose extension is folded to
the transport
and storage position. The right and left tables are pivotally mounted on their
frames
between a bale accumulating position and a bale discharging position so that
when the
tables are unlatched they tilt downwardly at the rear of the tables under the
weight of the
bale to permit a bale carried thereon to slide to the ground as the bale
accumulator
continues its forward movement. When the weight of the bale is removed from a
table a
spring pulls the table back to its latched position.
However, U.S. Patent No. 4,844,675 does not disclose a purpose for the
extensions
when unfolded to a position coplanar with the associated tables. Since the
extensions
appear to have a width dimension, approximately equal to one third a width
dimension of
each of the right and left tables, it is clear that each of the extensions
cannot accumulate an
additional large bale. This patent also does not disclose a support system
that contacts the
extension at a location beyond the side of the table to which the extension is
attached.
Therefore, the extension does not have any direct support for a partial bale
that may be
accumulated thereon from either a main frame or the ground. A lack of direct
support for
the extension places all the stress due to the weight of a partial bale on the
hinge that may
weaken or break over time under normally rigorous field conditions. Further,
this patent
does not teach or suggest a need for supporting the extension, at a location
beyond the side
of the table to which the extension is attached, when the extension is in the
unstowed
position and when the table is in the bale accumulating position and/or the
bale discharging
position.
Hoelscher, Inc., located at 312 S. Main, P.O Box 195, Bushton, Kansas, U.S.A.,
67427, manufactures a bale accumulator Model 1030 having a load bed pivotally
mounted
to a main frame. The load bed includes a center table and two side tables on
opposite sides
4

CA 02302217 2008-07-29
of the center table. The bale accumulator bale has a carrying capacity of
three total bales
on each of the three tables and a bale dumping capacity of two of the three
total bales from
the two side tables. The center table continuously receives bales from a bale
chamber of a
baler during while baling and is not permitted to dump any bales. The two side
tables
dump the two bales by pivoting about a pivot axis between a bale accumulating
position
and a bale discharging position, wherein the two side tables are in a
horizontal position and
an inclined position, respectively, relative to the main frame.
However, Holescher's bale accumulator Model 1030 is limited to a bale
accumulation capacity of three bales and to a bale discharge capacity of two
bales.
Holescher's bale accumulator does not have an extension table connected to a
load bed and
moveable relative to the load bed between a stowed position and an unstowed
position,
wherein the extension table is substantially co-planar with the load bed and
adjacent to the
side of the load bed when the extension table is in the unstowed position to
permit the
extension table to accumulate thereon an additional bale. Therefore,
Holescher's bale
accumulator Model 1030 cannot accumulate more than three bales.
Recently, Case IH Corporation, located at 700 State Street, Racine, Wisconsin,
Illinois, 53404, U.S.A., introduced a bale accumulator Model 8576 having a
load bed
pivotally mounted to a main frame. The load bed includes a center table and
two side
tables on opposite sides of the center table. The two side tables each have an
extension
table pivotally attached a longitudinal side thereof and moveable between a
stowed, road
transport position and an unstowed, bale accumulating position. The bale
accumulator
Model 8576 has a bale has a carrying capacity of five total bales on each of
the three tables
and the two extension tables and a bale dumping capacity of four of the five
total bales
from the two side tables and the two extension tables. The center table
continuously
receives bales from a bale chamber of a baler during while baling and is not
permitted to
dump any bales. The two side tables and the two extension tables dump the two
bales by
pivoting, about a pivot axis mounted on the main frame, from a bale
accumulating position
to a bale discharging position, wherein the two side tables are in a
horizontal position and
an inclined position, respectively, relative to the main frame.
Further, GB 2 297 944A publication discloses, at page 3, line 19 to page 4,
line 11:
"a bale accumulator having a central fixed bale-receiving surface 6 mounted on
a main
frame 1. Alongside the central fixed bale-receiving surface 6 are mounted two
tipping
surfaces 7, each having an inner portion 7a and an outer portion 7b pivotally
connected
5

CA 02302217 2008-07-29
thereto so as to be pivotable between a working position, in which the inner
and outer
portions 7a and 7b lie in the same plane so as to form between them a single
secondary
bale-receiving surface, and a transport position, in which the outer portions
7b extend
generally vertically from the inner portions 7a. The pivoting of the outer
portions 7b is
achieved by means of extended side frame members 8 connected through pivots 9
to the
front and rear of the respective inner portions 7a. In the transport position,
the extended
side frame members 8 come into contact with stop members 10 extending from the
main
frame 1 when they have passed just over the top dead center position, so that
they are held
in position without need for locking devices. The outer portions 7b are
readily manually
pivoted outwardly and downwardly to their operative positions without the need
for any
power assistance. However, should it be desired to provide power lifting and
lowering of
the outer portions 7b, this could readily be achieved by means of hydraulic
rams or the like
extending between the outer and inner portions, for example." The bale
accumulator has a
bale has a carrying capacity of three total bales (one on the central fixed
bale-receiving
surface 6 and one each on the two tipping surfaces 7) and a bale discharge
capacity of two
of the three total bales from the two tipping surfaces 7.
However, each one of Case IH Corporation's bale accumulator Model 8576 and the
GB 2 297 944A publication does not disclose a support system which contacts
the
extension table, at a location beyond the side of the load bed to which the
extension table is
attached, when the extension table is in the unstowed position and when the
load bed is in
the bale accumulating position and/or the bale discharging position.
Therefore, the
extension table does not have any direct support for a bale that may be
accumulated
thereon from either a main frame or the ground. A lack of direct support for
the extension
table places all the stress due to the weight of a bale on a hinge that may
weaken or break
over time under normally rigorous field conditions.
U.S. Patent Nos. 4,961,679 and 4,955,774, 4,844,675, Case IH Corporation's
bale
accumulator Model 8576, and GB 2 297 944A each teach only one extension table
pivotally attached to one side of the chassis, load bed, load bed, and load
bed, respectively.
These references do not teach or suggest attaching additional extension tables
to the one
extension table or supporting the one extension table in combination with any
additional
extension tables. Further, each of these references teaches a hinged
connection between
the extension table and the load bed.
6

CA 02302217 2008-07-29
Accordingly, there is a need for an agricultural bale accumulator that
overcomes
the disadvantages of the prior art described hereinabove.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGs. 1 and 2 illustrate, in a top and rear side perspective view, an
agricultural bale
accumulator having a first embodiment of a load bed extension module including
a first
extension table and a second extension table each being located in an unstowed
position
and a stowed position, respectively, and a portion of the load bed being
located in a bale
accumulating position.
FIGs. 3 and 4 illustrate, in a top and right side perspective view and a top
and rear
side perspective view, respectively, the agricultural bale accumulator of FIG.
1 having the
first embodiment of the load bed extension module including the first
extension table and
the second extension table each being located in the unstowed position and the
portion of
the load bed being located in a bale discharging position.
FIG. 5 illustrates, in a top, front, and right side perspective view, the
agricultural
bale accumulator of FIG. 1 having the first embodiment of the load bed
extension module
including the first extension table and the second extension table each being
located in the
unstowed position and the portion of the load bed being located in the bale
accumulating
position.
FIG. 6 illustrates, in a top, front, and right side perspective view, a
magnified view
of a portion of FIG. 5 having the first embodiment of the load bed extension
module
including the first extension table and the second extension table each being
located in the
unstowed position and the portion of the load bed being located in the bale
accumulating
position.
FIG. 7 illustrates, in a top, front, and left side perspective view, the
agricultural
bale accumulator of FIG. 2 having the first embodirnent of the load bed
extension module
including the first extension table and the second extension table each being
located in the
stowed position and the portion of the load bed being located in the bale
accumulating
position.
FIG. 8 illustrates, in a top, front, and left side perspective view, a
magnified view
of a portion of FIG. 7 having the first embodiment of the load bed extension
module
including the first extension table and the second extension table each being
located in the
7

CA 02302217 2008-07-29
stowed position and the portion of the load bed being located in the bale
accumulating
position.
FIG. 9 illustrates, in a bottom, rear and right side perspective view, the
agricultural
bale accumulator of FIG. 1 having the first embodiment of the load bed
extension module
including the first extension table and the second extension table each being
located in the
unstowed position and the portion of the load bed being located in the bale
accumulating
position.
FIG. 10 illustrates, in a bottom, front, and right side perspective view, the
agricultural bale accumulator of FIGs. 3 and 4 having the first embodiment of
the load bed
extension module including the first extension table and the second extension
table each
being located in the unstowed position and the portion of the load bed being
located in the
bale discharging position.
FIGs. 11 and 12 illustrate, in a top and rear side perspective view, an
agricultural
bale accumulator having a second embodiment of a load bed extension module
including a
first extension table and a second extension table each being located in an
unstowed
position and a stowed position, respectively, and a portion of the load bed
being located in
a bale accumulating position.
FIGs. 13 and 14 illustrate, in a top and right side perspective view and a top
and
rear side perspective view, respectively, the agricultural bale accumulator of
FIG. 11
having the second embodiment of the load bed extension module including the
first
extension table and the second extension table each being located in the
unstowed position
and the portion of the load bed being located in a bale discharging position.
FIG. 15 illustrates, in a top, front, and right side perspective view, the
agricultural
bale accumulator of FIGs. 13 and 14 having the second embodiment of the load
bed
extension module including the first extension table and the second extension
table each
being located in the unstowed position and the portion of the load bed being
located in the
bale discharging position.
FIG. 16 illustrates, in a top, front, and right side perspective view, a
magnified
view of a portion of FIG. 15 having the second embodiment of the load bed
extension
module including the first extension table and the second extension table each
being
located in the unstowed position and the portion of the load bed being located
in the bale
discharging position.
8

CA 02302217 2008-07-29
FIG. 17 illustrates, in a top, front, and right side perspective view, a
magnified
view of a portion of FIG. 16 having the second embodiment of the load bed
extension
module including the first extension table and the second extension table each
being
located in the unstowed position and the portion of the load bed being located
in the bale
discharging position.
FIG. 18 illustrates, in a top, rear, and left side perspective view, a
magnified view
of a portion of FIGs. 15 and 16 having the second embodiment of the load bed
extension
module including the first extension table and the second extension table each
being
located in the unstowed position and the portion of the load bed being located
in the bale
discharging position.
FIG. 19 illustrates, in a top, front, and right side perspective view, the
agricultural
bale accuinulator of FIG. 12 having the second embodiment of the load bed
extension
module including the first extension table and the second extension table each
being
located in the stowed position and the portion of the load bed being located
in the bale
accumulating position.
FIG. 20 illustrates, in a top, rear, and right side perspective view, the
agricultural
bale accumulator of FIGs. 12 and 19 having the second embodiment of the load
bed
extension module including the first extension table and the second extension
table each
being located in a partially stowed position and the portion of the load bed
being located in
the bale accumulating position.
FIG. 21 illustrates, in a top, rear, and right side perspective view, a
magnified view
of a portion of FIG. 12, 19, and 20 having the second embodiment of the load
bed
extension module including the first extension table being located in the
stowed position
and the portion of the load bed being located in the bale accumulating
position.
FIG. 22 illustrates, in a bottom, front, and right side perspective view, the
agricultural bale accumulator of FIG. 11 having the second embodiment of the
load bed
extension module including the first extension table and the second extension
table each
being located in the unstowed position and the portion of the load bed being
located in the
bale accumulating position.
FIG. 23 illustrates, in a bottom, rear, and right side perspective view, the
agricultural bale accumulator of FIG. 11 having the second embodiment of the
load bed
extension module including the first extension table and the second extension
table each
9

CA 02302217 2008-07-29
being located in the unstowed position and the portion of the load bed being
located in the
bale accumulating position.
FIGs. 24 and 25 illustrate, in a rear side elevation view, a right side of an
agricultural bale accumulator having a third embodiment of a load bed
extension module
including a first extension table and a third extension table each being
located in an
unstowed position and a stowed position, respectively, and a load bed being
located in a
bale accumulating position.
FIGs. 26 and 27 illustrate, in a rear side elevation view, a right side of an
agricultural bale accumulator having a fourth embodiment of a load bed
extension module
including a first extension table and a third extension table each being
located in an
unstowed position and a stowed position, respectively, and a load bed being
located in a
bale accumulating position.
FIGs. 28 and 29 illustrate, in a rear side elevation view, a right side of an
agricultural bale accumulator having a fifth embodiment of a load bed
extension module
including a first extension table and a third extension table each being
located in an
unstowed position and a stowed position, respectively, and a load bed being
located in a
bale accumulating position.
FIGs. 30 and 31 illustrate, in a rear side elevation view, a right side of an
agricultural bale accumulator having a sixth embodiment of a load bed
extension module
including a first extension table and a third extension table each being
located in an
unstowed position and a stowed position, respectively, and a load bed being
located in a
bale accumulating position.
FIGs. 32 and 33 illustrate, in a rear side elevation view, a right side of an
agricultural bale accumulator having a sixth embodiment of a load bed
extension module
including a first extension table and a third extension table each being
located in an
unstowed position and a stowed position, respectively, and a load bed being
located in a
bale accumulating position.
FIGs. 34 and 35 illustrate, in a rear side elevation view, a right side of an
agricultural bale accumulator having a seventh embodiment of a load bed
extension
module including a first extension table and a third extension table each
being located in
an unstowed position and a stowed position, respectively, and a load bed being
located in a
bale accumulating position.

CA 02302217 2008-07-29
FIGs. 36 and 37 illustrate, in a rear side elevation view, a right side of an
agricultural bale accumulator having an eighth embodiment of a load bed
extension
module including a first extension table and a third extension table each
being located in
an unstowed position and a stowed position, respectively, and a load bed being
located in a
bale accumulating position.
FIGs. 38, 39 and 40 illustrate, in a rear side elevation view, a right side of
an
agricultural bale accumulator having a tenth, eleventh and twelfth embodiment,
respectively, of a load bed extension module including a first extension table
and a third
extension table each being located in an unstowed position and a stowed
position and a
load bed being located in a bale accumulating position.
FIG. 41 illustrates a schematic diagram of a hydraulic system for use with the
agricultural bale accumulator of FIGs. through 40.
FIG. 42 illustrates a table having thirty-six embodiments of an extension
table
support system for a load bed extension module for use on and/or off a pivot
axis for one
or more extension tables.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
1. Overview
Generally referring to all the figures, for the sake of convenience and
facilitating a
better understanding the preferred embodiments, the figures include a
reference diagram
illustrating three dimensions and should not limit the scope of the present
invention. The
reference diagram includes a first axis 201, a second axis 202, and a third
axis 203. The
reference diagram used in conjunction with the agricultural bale accumulator
100 and/or
components thereof is determined with reference to the orientation of
agricultural bale
accumulator 100. The first axis 201 lies along a longitudinal axis of the
agricultural bale
accumulator 100. The second axis 202 lies along a lateral axis of the
agricultural bale
accumulator 100 and is transverse to the first axis 201. A third axis 203 lies
in a vertical
relationship to the agricultural bale accumulator 100 and is transverse to
both the first axis
201 and the second axis 202.
Arrows on the ends of each of the first axis 201, the second axis 202, and the
third
axis 203 are numbered to indicate direction along each of the three axes. On
the first axis
201, arrows 221 and 222 represent a forward direction and a rearward
direction,
respectively. On the second axis 202, arrows 223 and 224 represent a right
direction and a
11

CA 02302217 2008-07-29
left direction, respectively. On the third axis 203, arrows 225 and 226
represent an upward
direction and a downward direction, respectively. For example, the direction
of forward
operative travel of the agricultural bale accumulator is in the forward
direction represented
by arrow 221 along the first axis 201.
Generally referring to all the figures, FIGs. 1-10 illustrate an agricultural
bale
accumulator 100 having a first embodiment of a load bed extension module 102.
FIGs.
11-23 illustrate an agricultural bale accumulator 100 having a second
embodiment of the
load bed extension module 102. FIGs. 24-40 illustrate an agricultural bale
accumulator
100 having third through twelfth embodiments of the load bed extension module
102.
FIG. 41 illustrates a schematic diagram of a hydraulic system for use with the
agricultural
bale accumulator 100 of FIGs. 1 through 40. FIG. 42 illustrates a table 212
having thirty-
six embodiments of an extension table support system for the load bed
extension module
102 for use on and/or off a pivot axis for one or more extension tables. The
table 212
includes the twelve embodiments of the load bed extension module 102
illustrated in FIGs.
1-40.
II. Base Module
FIGs. 1 and 2 illustrate, in a top and rear side perspective view, an
agricultural bale
accumulator 100 (hereinafter referred to as "bale accumulator") having a first
embodiment
of a load bed extension module 102, including a first extension table 104 and
a second
extension table 106 each being located in an unstowed position and a stowed
position,
respectively, and a portion 116 and 118 of the load bed 113 being located in a
bale
accumulating position. FIGs. 11 and 12 illustrate, in a top and rear side
perspective view,
an agricultural bale accumulator 100 having a second embodiment of a load bed
extension
module 102 including a first extension table 104 and a second extension table
106 each
being located in an unstowed position and a stowed position, respectively, and
a portion
116 and 118 of the load bed 113 being located in a bale accumulating position.
The bale accumulator 100 has a modular construction and generally comprises a
base module 112, the load bed extension module 102, a bale transfer module
186, and a
bale discharge module 116, 118, 190. ln the preferred embodiments, the base
module 112
comprises a main frame 120 for supporting a load bed 113 and a pair of ground
engaging
castor wheels 108 and 109 for supporting the main frame 120 above a ground
surface 128.
The load bed 113 is substantially planar and successively receives a plurality
of
bales from a bale chamber 103 of an agricultural baler 101 along the first
axis 201 in a
12

CA 02302217 2008-07-29
rearward direction 222 essentially opposite to a direction of travel 221 of
the baler 101 to
accumulate the bales on load bed 113. The load bed includes a center load bed
114, a right
load bed 116, and a left load bed 118. As will be described with reference to
FIGs. I
through 4 and 11 through 14, the portion 116 and 118 of the load bed 113 moves
between
a bale accumulating position and a bale discharging position while the center
load bed 114
remains in a fixed position relative to the main frame 120.
The base module 112 supports the load bed extension module 102, which is
operative to receive and accumulate additional bales, the bale-transfer module
186 which
is operable to displace bales transversely on the load bed 113 and bale-
discharge module
116, 118, 190 which is operative to discharge bales to the ground. Each of the
load bed
extension module 102, the bale-transfer module 186 and the bale-discharge
module 116,
118, 190 will be described in detail herein below.
As shown in FIGs. 1 and 11, each of the first 104 and second 106 extension
tables
are substantially co-planar with the load bed 113 and adjacent to a first side
124 and a
second side 126, respectively, of the load bed 113 when each of the first 104
and second
106 extension tables are in the unstowed position to permit each of the first
104 and second
106 extension tables to accumulate thereon at least one of the plurality of
bales received on
the load bed 113. As shown in FIGs. 2 and 12, each of the first 104 and second
106
extension tables are substantially raised to an inclined position relative to
the load bed 113
when each of the first 104 and second 106 extension tables are in the unstowed
position to
permit the bale accumulator 100 to be stored or to be transported on a public
roadway.
In FIGs. I and 11, the bale accumulator 100 has a lateral width dimension 161
of
approximately 548 cm when each of the first 104 and second 106 extension
tables are in
the unstowed position. In FIGs. 2 and 12, the bale accumulator 100 has a
lateral width
dimension 160 of approximately 335 cm when each of the first 104 and second
106
extension tables are in the stowed position. Therefore, a lateral width
dimension of the
load bed 113 is increased by 213 cm when each of the first 104 and second 106
extension
tables are in the unstowed position. With these lateral width dimensions, the
bale
accumulator 100 is permitted to accumulate up to five medium sized bales on
the load bed
113 across the lateral axis 202 of the load bed 113 when each of the first 104
and second
106 extension tables are in the unstowed position.
By contrast, U.S. Patent Nos. 4,961,679 and 4,955,774 teaches the accumulation
of
up to only four bales across a lateral axis of the load bed, U.S. Patent No.
4,844,675
13

CA 02302217 2008-07-29
teaches the accumulation of up to only three bales across a lateral axis of
the center, right
and left tables, and Holescher's bale accumulator Model 1030 teaches the
accumulation of
up to only three bales across a lateral axis of load bed. Therefore, the bale
accumulator
100 of the present invention increases the bale accumulating capacity along a
lateral axis
of a bale accumulator by one or two additional bales over that provided by the
bale
accumulators described in these references to increase the bale accumulator's
bale
accumulating efficiency by 25% and 66%, respectively.
As shown in FIGs. 1 and 11, the portion 116 and 118 of the load bed 113 is
located
in a bale accumulating position which is a horizontal position relative to the
main frame
120 to permit the load bed 113 and the first 104 and second 106 extension
tables to
accumulate thereon the plurality of bales.
The bale accumulator 100 is hitched or attached to the agricultural baler 101,
which
is partially shown in FIGs. 1-5, 7, 11-15, and 19 of the drawings, by a
coupling device
comprising, on one hand, a ring or eye bolt attached to the main frame 120 of
the bale
accumulator 100 and disposed to enter in to a socket coupled to the main frame
120 and to
receive a coupling pin there through and, on the other hand, a pair of
transversely spaced
apart tie rods provided at opposite ends of the eye bolt. Each tie rod is
attached at its
opposite ends to the baler 101 and the main frame 120 by ball joints. In an
alternative
arrangement, only one such tie rod is provided. With this form of hitching or
connection,
the bale accumulator 100 cannot move in yaw relative to the baler 101 on the
one hand
while limited movement in the two other main connections is allowed on the
other hand.
Indeed, the bale accumulator 100 and the baler 101 can move relative to each
other to a
limited degree in pitch about the ball joints and the eye bolt and in addition
thereto the
coupling device allows the accumulator and the baler to move relative to each
other about
a longitudinal, fore-and-aft axis of the two components. The inability of the
baler 101 and
the bale accumulator 100 to move relative to each other in yaw requires that
the two
ground-engaging-wheels 108 and 110 of the bale accumulator 100 are castor
wheels,
which are pivotable about generally vertical axes. The foregoing arrangement
is necessary
to guarantee that, in use, the bales emerging from a bale chamber 103 of the
baler 101 are
always received at precisely the same location on the bale accumulator 100 by
virtue of the
bale accumulator 100 always having a bale receiving portion a load bed 114
properly
aligned with the bale chamber 103. However, for transport purposes, the bale
accumulator
100 should be able to assume, when seen in a horizontal plane, an angled
position relative
14

CA 02302217 2008-07-29
to the pulling baler 101. To this end, the tie rods are removed and the castor
wheels are
secured in their fixed positions relative to the main frame 120 whereby the
bale
accumulator 100 becomes a conventional trailed unit.
III. Bale Transfer Module
The bale transfer module distributes a plurality of bales received on the load
bed
113 across the load bed 113 and the first and second extension tables 104 and
106 to
accumulate the plurality of bales on the load bed 113 and the first and second
extension
tables 104 and 106 in a side by side relationship when the first and second
extension tables
104 and 106 are each in the unstowed position and when the portion 116 and 118
of the
load bed 113 is in the bale accumulating position.
In the preferred embodiments, the bale transfer module 186 comprises a push
bar
186 operable to alternately transfer bales transversely across the load bed
113 along the
second axis 202 as they are received onto the load bed 113 from the bale chute
103 of the
baler 101. The push bar 186 and its associated drive mechanism is known in the
bale
accumulator art, as shown in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,961,679, 4,955,774 and
4,844,675,
Holescher's bale accumulator Model 1030, and Case IH Corporation's bale
accumulator
Model 8576, for example, referred to hereinabove in the background section.
Alternatively, other types of bale transfer modules may be implemented the
bale
accumulator 100 without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
Such other
bale transfer modules may include for example, a robotic arm assembly, as
shown in U.S.
Patents 4,961,679, 4,955,774 or a moveable platform, as shown in U.S. Patents
4,710,086
and 4,710,087.
IV. Bale Discharge Module
FIGs. 3 and 4 illustrate, in a top and right side perspective view and a top
and rear
side perspective view, respectively, the agricultural bale accumulator 100 of
FIG. 1 having
the first embodiment of the load bed extension module 102 including the first
extension
table 104 and the second extension table 106 each being located in the
unstowed position
and a portion 116 and 118 of the load bed 113 being located in a bale
discharging position.
FIGs. 13 and 14 illustrate, in a top and right side perspective view and a top
and rear side
perspective view, respectively, the agricultural bale accumulator 100 of FIG.
11 having the
second embodiment of the load bed extension module 102 including the first
extension
table 104 and the second extension table 106 each being located in the
unstowed position

CA 02302217 2008-07-29
and the portion 116 and 118 of the load bed 113 being located in a bale
discharging
position.
In the preferred embodiments, the bale discharge module comprises the portion
116
and 118 of the load bed 113 and a hydraulic cylinder 190. The portion 116 and
118 of the
load bed 113 is pivotally connected to the main frame 120 about a pivot point
188 disposed
on a horizontal pivot axis 146 and moveable relative to the main frame 120
between the
bale accumulating position and the bale discharging position. The portion 116
and 118 of
the load bed 113 is in a horizontal position relative to the main frame 120
when the portion
116 and 118 of the load bed 113 is in the bale accumulating position to permit
the portion
116 and 118 of the load bed 113, the first extension table 104 and the second
extension
table 106 to accumulate thereon the plurality of bales. The portion 116 and
118 of the load
bed 113 is in an inclined position relative to the main frame 120 when the
load bed 113 is
in the bale discharging position to permit the portion 116 and 118 of the load
bed 113 and
the first 104 and second 106 extension tables to discharge the plurality of
bales
accumulated thereon to the ground surface 128.
Alternatively, other types of bale discharge modules may be implemented the
bale
accumulator 100 without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
Such other
bale discharge modules may include, for exainple, conveyor chains having push
plates
which push the accumulated bales off a horizontal load bed to the ground as
shown in U.S.
Patents 4,961,679 and 4,955,774. An advantage of this embodiment for a bale
discharge
module is that the load bed is rigidly fixed to the main frame to provide a
stable support for
the accumulated bales during the bale accumulating and bale discharging
operations.
Still an other bale discharge modules may include, for example, a load bed
pivotally mounted on to a main frame and moveable between a bale accumulating
position
and a bale discharging position so that when the load bed is unlatched, the
load bed tilts
downwardly at the rear of the load bed under the force of gravity acting on
the weight of
the accumulated bales to permit the bales carried thereon to slide to the
ground as the bale
accumulator continues its forward movement. When the weight of the bales is
removed
from the load bed a spring pulls the load bed to its latched position. An
advantage of this
embodiment for a bale discharge module is that a hydraulic dump cylinder is
not needed to
forcibly raise the load bed and the bales accumulated thereon to its bale
discharging
position.
V. Load Bed Extension Module
16

CA 02302217 2008-07-29
With continuing reference to the first and second embodiments shown in FIGs. 1-
4
and 11-14, respectively, the load bed extension module 102 generally includes
a first
extension table 104, a first extension table attachment mechanism 122, and a
first
extension table support system 130. While the following description of the
load bed
extension module 102 will be given with reference to the first, right side 124
of the load
bed 113, the load bed extension module 102 is also intended to apply to the
second, left
side 126 of the load bed 113 in a similar manner as that described for first,
right side 124
of the load bed 113. However, while use of the load bed extension module 102
on each
side of the load bed 113 is preferred, both sides of the load bed 113 are not
required to use
the load bed extension module 102 at the same time. Hence, the load bed 113
may use the
load bed extension module 102 on only one side of the load bed 113, if desired
or required.
A. Extension Table Attachment Mechanism
The first extension table attachment mechanism connects the first extension
table
104 to the base module 112 to permit the first extension table 104 to be
moveable relative
to the base module 112 between the stowed position and the unstowed position.
The
stowed and unstowed positions are described hereinabove.
Preferably, the first extension table attachment mechanism is a hinge 122
located
on a first hinge axis 136. Likewise, the second extension table 106 is
connected to the
second side 126 of the base module 112 with a hinge 123 disposed along a
second hinge
axis 138. Alternatively, the first extension table attachment mechanism may be
a
telescoping mechanism as shown in FIG. 40 and described in further detail
herein below.
Preferably, the first extension table 104 is connected to the right load bed
portion
116 of the load bed 113 and permitted to move with the right load bed portion
116 of the
load bed 113 when the right load bed portion 116 of the load bed 113 moves
between the
bale accumulating position and the bale discharging position. Likewise, the
second
extension table 106 is connected to the left load bed portion 118 of the load
bed 113 and
permitted to move with the left load bed portion 118 of the load bed 113 when
the left load
bed portion 118 of the load bed 113 moves between the bale accumulating
position and the
bale discharging position. This arrangement permits the bale accumulator 100
to discharge
any bales located on the right 116 and left 118 portions of the load bed 113
and the first
104 and second 106 extension tables at the same time by moving the right 116
and left 118
portions of the load bed 113 to the bale discharging position relative to the
main frame
120. Alternatively, the load bed extension module 102 is equally well suited
for use with a
17

CA 02302217 2008-07-29
bale discharge module wherein a load bed does not tilt relative to a main
frame, such as the
chain driven push plates described hereinabove. In this alternative case, the
first 104 and
second 106 extension tables can be attached directly to the main frame 120, as
opposed to
the load bed 113, if so desired.
B. Extension Table Support System
The first extension table support system 130 is connected to at least one of
the base
module 112 and the first extension table 104. The first extension table
support system 130
contacts the first extension table 104 at a location beyond the first side 124
of the load bed
113 and contacts at least one of the base module 112 and the ground surface
128 to support
the first extension table 104 from at least one of the base module 112 and the
ground
surface 128, respectively, when the first extension table 104 is in the
unstowed position.
Generally, the first extension table support system 130 comprises five
embodiments, which are described in detail below. The first embodiment of the
first
extension table support system 130 utilizes a support wheel 164. The second,
third, fourth
and fifth embodiments of the first extension table support system 130 utilize
a first 140,
second 150, third 154 and fourth 192 frame extension members, respectively.
For the sake
of convenience and to facilitate a better understanding of the present
invention,
embodiments of the first 140, second 150, third 154 and fourth 192 frame
extension
members comprise a truss member, a collapsible cylinder, a fixed frame member
and a
moveable frame member, respectively, which should not limit the spirit and
scope of the
present invention.
The support wheel 164 will be described in further detail with reference to
the first,
third, fourth, sixth, seventh, eleventh, and twelfth embodiments of the load
bed extension
module 102, as shown in FIGs. 1-10, 24 and 25, 26 and 27, 30 and 31, 32 and
33, 39, and
40, respectively. The truss member of the first frame extension member 140
will be
described in further detail with reference to the first, second, fifth,
seventh, eight and ninth
embodiments of the load bed extension module 102, as shown in FIGs. 1-10, 11-
23, 28 and
29, 32 and 33, 34 and 35, and 36 and 37, respectively. The collapsible
cylinder of the
second frame extension member 150 is described with reference to the first,
second, and
ninth embodiments of the load bed extension module 102, as shown in FIGs. 1-
10, 11-23,
and 36 and 37, respectively. The fixed frame member of the third frame
extension
member 154 will be described in further detail with reference to the second,
fourth, and
fifth, embodiments of the load bed extension module 20, as shown in FIGs. 11-
23, 26 and
18

CA 02302217 2008-07-29
27, and 28 and 29, respectively. The moveable frame member of the fourth frame
extension member 192 will be described in further detail with reference to the
fourth, sixth,
seventh, eleventh and twelfth embodiments of the load bed extension module 20,
as shown
in FIGs. 26 and 27, 30 and 31, 32 and 33, 39, and 40, respectively.
The first extension table support system 130 contacts the first extension
table 104
at a location beyond the first side 124 of the load bed 113. Likewise, a
second extension
table support system 132 contacts the second extension table 106 at a location
beyond the
second side 126 of the load bed 113. For the first extension table 104, the
location where
the contact is made is further described as being beyond the first hinge axis
136 where the
first extension table 104 is attached to the load bed 133. Preferably, a
location of contact
on the first extension table 104 between a center portion and a distal side of
the first
extension table 104 is optimal.
By contrast, U.S. Patent Nos. 4,961,679, 4,955,774 and 4,844,675 and Case IH
Corporation's bale accumulator Model 8576 do not disclose a support system
which
contacts an extension table at a location beyond a side of a base module to
which the
extension table is attached. Each of these references merely shows an
extension table
hinged to the base module without any support beyond the hinge area.
When used alone, the support wheel 164 supports the first extension table 104
from
the ground surface 128 when the first extension table 104 is in the unstowed
position.
When used alone, each of the first 140, second 150, third 154 and fourth 192
frame
extension members support the first extension table 104 from the base module
112 when
the first extension table 104 is in the unstowed position. When used in
combination, the
support wheel 164 and one of the first 140, second 150, third 154 and fourth
192 frame
extension members support the first extension table 104 from the ground
surface 128 and
the base module 112 when the first extension table 104 is in the unstowed
position.
In the first embodiment as shown in FIGs. I through 10, the first extension
table
support system 130 supports the first extension table 104 from at least one of
the base
module 112 and the ground surface 128 the when the portion 116 and 118 of the
load bed
113 is in at least one of the bale accumulating position and the bale
discharging position.
It is especially important to note that when the portion 116 and 118 of the
load bed 113 is
moved to the bale discharging position about the pivot axis 146, as shown in
FIGs. 3, 4, 13
and 14, there is a large amount of space between the portion 116 and 118 of
the load bed
113 and the main frame 120. In the bale discharging position, the portion 116
and 118 of
19

CA 02302217 2008-07-29
the load bed 113 is supported from the main frame 120 with the hydraulic
cylinder 190,
which is used to forcibly tilt the portion 116 and 118 of the load bed 113
relative to the
main frame 120. Likewise, the first 104 and second 106 extension tables
attached to the
portion 116 and 118 of the load bed 113, respectively, also need support when
the portion
116 and 118 of the load bed 113 is located in at least one of the bale
accumulating position
and the bale discharging position. During the operation of the bale
accumulator 100 in a
field, the bale accumulator 100 is subject to a normally present, rough and
varying ground
surface causing the weight of the bales to bounce or shift on the first 104
and second 106
extension tables. Without the extension table support system 130, the bouncing
or shifting
will cause wear and fatigue on the hinges 122 and 123 connecting the first 104
and second
106 extension tables, respectively, to the load bed 113. An abnormal amount of
wear and
fatigue on the hinges 122 and 123 will inhibit proper movement of the first
104 and second
106 extension tables between their stowed and unstowed positions or cause
permanent
damage to the hinges 122 and 123, the load bed 113 and/or the first 104 and
second 106
extension tables.
The first extension table support system 130 supports the first extension
table 104
"on" the horizontal pivot axis 146, "off' the horizontal pivot axis 148, or
both "on" and
"off' the horizontal pivot axis 146. The first extension table support system
130 provides
support "on" pivot axis 146 when the first extension table support system 130
supports the
first extension table 104 about the horizontal pivot axis 146 when the first
extension table
104 is in the unstowed position and when the at least a portion 116 and 118 of
the load bed
113 moves between the bale accumulating position and the bale discharging
position. A
pivot point 188 at the connection between the load bed 113 and the main frame
120 forms
the horizontal pivot axis 146. The support "on" the pivot axis is described
with reference
to each of the twelve embodiments of the load bed extension module 102, as
shown in
FIGs. 1-40, respectively. Note that the third through twelfth embodiments of
the load bed
extension module 20, as shown in FIGs. 24-40 may be implemented either "on"
the pivot
axis 146 or "off" the pivot axis 148.
For a load bed 113 that tilts, first extension table support system 130
provides
support "off' the pivot axis 148 when the first extension table support system
130 supports
the first extension table 104 at a location between a front side 117 of the
load bed 113
where the plurality of bales are received on the load bed 113 and the
horizontal pivot axis
146 when the first extension table 104 is in the unstowed position and when
the portion

CA 02302217 2008-07-29
116 and 118 of the load bed 113 is in the bale accumulating position. The
support "off'
the pivot axis is described with reference to each of the twelve embodiments
of the load
bed extension module 102, as shown in FIGs. 1-40, respectively.
The first extension table support system 130 can support more that one
extension
table disposed on the same side of the load bed 113. The extension table
support system
130 of the present invention becomes even more important in this case because
the
multiple extension tables and any bales accumulated thereon are located at a
position far
away from the main frame 120. Without the extension table support system 130,
the
weight of multiple bales on multiple tables extending away from the main frame
120
greatly increases the amount of stress on the hinges 122 and 123. If there are
two or more
extension tables disposed on the same side of the load bed, the extension
table support
system 130 of the present invention may even be considered essential to meet
minimum
standards of durability and usefulness while the bale accumulator 100 is being
used in a
field over the useable life time of the bale accumulator 100. The application
of the
extension table support system 130 to multiple extension tables disposed on
the same side
of the load bed 113 will be described in further detail with reference to
FIGs. 24-40.
Alternatively, first extension table support system 130 can support more that
one bale
disposed on a single extension table, such as the first 104 or second 106
extension table,
attached to the side of the load bed 113, as described with reference to FIGs.
1-23.
The need for extension table support system 130 is dependent on the
construction
of the base module 112. In each of the first and second embodiments of the
load bed
extension module 102, as shown in FIGs. 1-23, the load bed extension module
102 is
adapted to a bale accumulator Model 1030, manufactured by Hoelscher, Inc., 312
S. Main,
P.O Box 195, Bushton, Kansas, U.S.A., 67427. The main frame 120 and the load
bed 113
of the base module 112 of Hoelscher's bale accumulator Model 1030 is not built
of
construction materials durable enough to support the weight of a load bed
extension table
104 and any bales accumulated thereon without the assistance of the extension
table
support system 130 of the present invention. Therefore, the extension table
support system
130 becomes essential to providing a durable bale accumulator 100 having the
load bed
extension module 102 when the load bed extension module 102 is retrofitted to
an existing
bale accumulator that was not manufactured with the expectation that the load
bed
extension module 102 would be attached.
21

CA 02302217 2008-07-29
The need for extension table support system 130 of the present invention is
also
dependent on the manufacturing cost of the bale accumulator 100. As shown on
Case IH
Corporation's bale accumulator Model 8576, extension tables are provided
without any
support contacting the extension table beyond the hinge connecting the
extension table to
the load bed. On Case IH Corporation's bale accumulator Model 8576, the only
support
for the extension table is where a side of the extension table contacts a side
of the load bed
below the hinge when the extension table is folded down to be coplanar with
the load bed.
The lack of support for the extension tables is overcome by constructing the
main frame,
the load bed, and the extension tables with very heavy-duty materials.
However,
disadvantages associated with building a heavy duty bale accumulator include
increasing
the cost of the bale accumulator, increasing the amount of fuel used to pull
the bale
accumulator, etc. The extension table support system 130 is advantageous
because it cost
less to implement than using heavy duty materials and it weighs less than the
heavy duty
materials while still providing a durable design. Further, even if heavy-duty
materials are
used, the extension table support system 130 is advantageous for multiple
extension tables
disposed on the same side of the load bed 113 or more than one bale disposed
on a single
extension table disposed on the same side of the load bed 113.
1. Support Wheel
The support wheel 164 is described with reference to the first, third, fourth,
sixth,
seventh, eleventh, and twelfth embodiments of the load bed extension module
102, as
shown in FIGs. 1-10, 24 and 25, 26 and 27, 30 and 31, 32 and 33, 39, and 40,
respectively.
In the first and third embodiment of the load bed extension module 102, as
shown
in FIGs. 1-10, 24 and 25, respectively the first extension table support
system 130 includes
a first support wheel 164 connected to the first extension table 104 and
moveable with the
first extension table 104 when the first extension table 104 moves between the
stowed
position and the unstowed position. The first support wheel 164 contacts the
ground
surface 128 to support the first extension table 104 from the ground surface
128. The first
support wheel 164 advantageously provides support along the vertical axis 203
in the
upward direction 225 relative to the first extension table 104.
In the fourth, sixth, seventh, eleventh, and twelfth embodiments of the load
bed
extension module 102, as shown in FIGs. 26 and 27, 30 and 31, 32 and 33, 39,
and 40,
respectively, the support wheel is connected to the moveable frame member of
the fourth
frame extension member 192 and will be described in further detail herein
below.
22

CA 02302217 2008-07-29
Preferably, the first wheel 108, the second wheel 110, the first support wheel
164,
as well as the second support wheel 166 on the second extension table 106
share a
common axis of rotation 134 to encourage a smooth ride for the bale
accumulator 100
across a field.
2. First Frame Extension Member (ex: truss)
The truss member of the first frame extension member 140 is described with
reference to the first, second, fifth, seventh, eight, and ninth embodiments
of the load bed
extension module 102, as shown in FIGs. 1-10, 11-23, 28 and 29, 32 and 33, 34
and 35,
and 36 and 37, respectively.
The first extension table support system 130 further comprises a first frame
extension member 140 connected to the first extension table 104 and moveable
with the
first extension table 104 when the first extension table 104 moves between the
stowed
position and the unstowed position. An end surface of the first frame
extension member
140 contacts an end surface of the base module 112 to support the first
extension table 104
from the base module 112.
In the first embodiment of the load bed extension module 102, FIGs. 7-10 are
particularly well suited for illustrating the truss member of the first frame
extension
member 140 providing support "on" the pivot axis 146. FIG. 7 shows the truss
member of
the first frame extension member 140 attached to a bottom side of the left
side extension
table 106 near the left side support wheel 166. FIG. 8 shows the truss member
of the first
frame extension member 140 attached to the bottom side of the left side
extension table
106, the pivot point 188 of the base module 112 disposed on the pivot axis
146, and a pivot
point spacer 162. FIGs. 9 and 10 each show the truss member of the first frame
extension
member 140 attached to the bottom side of the first extension table 104, the
pivot point
188 of the base module 112 disposed on the pivot axis 146, and a pivot point
spacer 162,
wherein all of the elements are located on the right side 124 of the load bed
113.
In the first embodiment of the load bed extension module 102, as shown in FIG.
9,
the truss member of the first frame extension member 140 contacts the base
module 112 at
the pivot point 188 to support for the first extension table 104 when the
first extension
table 104 is located in the unstowed position and when the portion 116 of the
load bed 113
is located in the bale accumulating position. The pivot point spacer 162 is
used to fill a
gap between the pivot point 188 on Holescher's bale accumulator Model 1030 and
an end
23

CA 02302217 2008-07-29
of the truss member of the first frame extension member 140. Such a spacer
would not be
required on a new design for a bale accumulator.
In the first embodiment of the load bed extension module 102, as shown in FIG.
10, the truss member of the first frame extension member 140 contacts the base
module
112 at the pivot point 188 to support for the first extension table 104 when
the first
extension table 104 is located in the unstowed position and when the portion
116 of the
load bed 113 is located in the bale discharging position. It is critical to
note in this view
that the truss member of the first frame extension member 140 is the only
support for the
first extension table 104 beyond the first hinge 122. Supporting the first
extension table
from the pivot point 188 on the pivot axis 146 is important to reduce wear and
fatigue on
the hinge 122 when the first extension table is moved to the bale discharging
position.
Therefore, supporting the extension table from the pivot point 188 using the
truss member
of the first frame extension member 140 provides a significant advantage over
that
presently available in the prior art.
In the first embodiment of the load bed extension module 102, FIGs. 5-7 are
particularly well suited for illustrating a truss member of the first frame
extension member
140 providing support "off' the pivot axis 148.
In FIG. 5 the general area of interest showing the truss member of the first
frame
extension member 140 is at the front, right corner of the bale accumulator
100.
FIG. 6 shows the truss member of the first frame extension member 140
contacting
the main frame 120 from "off' the pivot axis 148. Preferably, the "off' axis
is located near
the front 117 of the bale accumulator 100 to provide even support in
combination with the
truss member of the first frame extension member 140 contacting the base
module 112 at
the pivot point 188. Preferably, the truss member of the first frame extension
member 140
contacts the main frame 120.
FIG. 6 also appropriately shows a mating contact between an end surface 142 of
the first frame extension member 140 an end surface 144 on the base module
112. The end
surface 142 of the first frame extension member 140 has a downward angle
relative to a
horizontal axis when the first extension table 104 is in the unstowed
position. The end
surface 144 on the base module 112 has an upward angle relative to the
horizontal axis,
which is complementary to the downward angle. The end surface 142 the first
frame
extension member 140 contacts the end surface 144 on the base module 112 to
translate an
upward force through the first frame extension member 140 to support the first
extension
24

CA 02302217 2008-07-29
table 104 from the base module 112. The complimentary angles advantageously
direct a
larger component of force from the base module 112 to the first extension
table 104.
FIG. 7 shows a separation between the end surface 142 of the first frame
extension
member 140 the end surface 144 on the base module 112 when the second, left
side
extension table 106 is in the stowed position.
In the second embodiment of the load bed extension module 102, FIGs. 15-20,
and
22 are particularly well suited for illustrating a truss member of the first
frame extension
member 140 providing support "off' the pivot axis 148. FIGs. 15-20, and 22
show the
first frame extension member 140 having three truss members. Each of the three
truss
members contact the fixed frame member of the third frame extension member 154
which
will be described in further detail herein below. Each of the three truss
members contacts
the fixed frame member of the third frame extension member 154 in a similar
manner to
the way the truss member contacts that main frame 120 as described hereinabove
with the
first embodiment of the load bed extension module 102. Although three truss
members are
shown which provide superior support along the length first extension table
104, only one
truss member near the front 117 of the bale accumulator 100 can be used to
provide
adequate support "off' the pivot axis 148.
The truss member of the first frame extension member 140 is described with
reference to the fifth, seventh, eight and ninth embodiments of the load bed
extension
module 102, as shown in FIGs. 28 and 29, 32 and 33, 34 and 35, and 36 and 37,
respectively. In FIGs. 28 and 29, the truss member of the first frame
extension member
140 is attached to a third extension table 105 and contacts the fixed frame
member of the
third frame extension member 154. In FIGs. 32 and 33, the truss member of the
first frame
extension member 140 is attached to a third extension table 105 and contacts
the moveable
frame member of the fourth frame extension member 192. This embodiment is
advantageous in reducing the distance traveled by the moveable frame member of
the
fourth frame extension member 192. In FIGs. 34 and 35, the truss member of the
first
frame extension member 140 is attached to each of the first extension table
104 and the
third extension table 105 to build a continuous truss support for each of the
first extension
table 104 and the third extension table 105 when each of the first extension
table 104 and
the third extension table 105 are in the unstowed position. This embodiment is
advantageous because no moveable parts are needed to support the extension
tables. In
FIGs. 36 and 37, the truss member of the first frame extension member 140 is
attached to a

CA 02302217 2008-07-29
third extension table 105 and contacts a lower part of the first extension
table 104. This
embodiment is advantageous in reducing the travel of the cylinder 150 which
would
support a wider extension table.
The second embodiment, as shown in FIGs. 11-23, illustrates an alternate truss
member 141 of the first frame extension member 140. The truss member 141 is
shown in
FIGs. 11, 12 and 14 at the rear side 119 of the bale accumulator 100.
Preferably, the truss
member 141 is a metal block attached to the rear side of the first extension
table 104 or the
second extension table 106 and makes contact with the rear side of the right
side load bed
116 or the left side load bed 118, respectively, at a location beyond the
first hinge axis 136
or the second hinge axis 138, respectively. The mechanical interference
between these
corresponding elements advantageously supports the first extension table 104
and the
second extension table 106 from the load bed 113.
3. Second Frame Extension Member (ex: cylinder)
The collapsible cylinder of the second frame extension member 150 is described
with reference to the first, second, and ninth embodiments of the load bed
extension
module 102, as shown in FIGs. 1-10, 11-23, and 36 and 37, respectively.
The first extension table support system 130 further comprises a second frame
extension member 150 having a first end connected to the base module 112 and a
second
end connected to the first extension table 104 and being moveable between a
collapsed
position and an expanded position. The second frame extension member 150 is
connected
to the first extension table 104 and the base module 112 to support the first
extension table
104 from the base module 112.
In the first embodiment, as shown in FIGs. 1-10, the first end of the second
frame
extension member 150 is connected to the load bed 113 of the base module 112
and the
second end of the second frame extension member 150 is connected to the first
extension
table 104. In this case, the second frame extension member 150 supports the
first
extension table 104 from the load bed 113. The second frame extension member
150 is in
the collapsed position when the first extension table 104 is in the stowed
position and in
the expanded position when the first extension table 104 is in the unstowed
position. This
correspondence between the position of the second frame extension member 150
and the
position of the first extension table 104 occurs because the second frame
extension
member 150 is located above the first extension table 104 and the load bed
113.
26

CA 02302217 2008-07-29
In the second and ninth embodiments, as shown in FIGs. 11-23 and FIGs. 36 and
37, respectively, the first end of the second frame extension member 150 is
connected to
the main frame 120 of the base module 112 and the second end of the second
frame
extension meniber 150 is connected to the first extension table 104. In this
case, the
second frame extension member 150 supports the first extension table 104 from
the main
frame 120. In FIGs. 11-23 and FIGs. 36 and 37, the second frame extension
member 150
is in the collapsed position when the first extension table 104 is in the
unstowed position
and in the expanded position when the first extension table 104 is in the
stowed position.
This correspondence between the position of the second frame extension member
150 and
the position of the first extension table 104 occurs because the second frame
extension
member 150 is located below the first extension table 104 and the load bed
113.
In the first, second, and ninth embodiments of the load bed extension module
102,
as shown in FIGs. 1-10, 11-23, and 36 and 37, respectively, the second frame
extension
member 150 further comprises a first hydraulic cylinder 150 for moving the
first extension
table 104 between the stowed position and the unstowed position responsive to
receiving
pressurized hydraulic fluid from a hydraulic fluid source 115. FIG. 41 shows
the hydraulic
fluid source 115. Alternatively, the second frame extension member 150 can be
a
telescoping frame member that provides equivalent support as the hydraulic
cylinder 150
for the first extension table 104 but does not require pressurized hydraulic
fluid from the
hydraulic fluid source. In this case, the extension table would require manual
assistance.
In the second and ninth embodiments of the load bed extension module 102, as
shown in FIGs. 15-17, 19-21-23, and 36 and 37, respectively, the second frame
extension
member 150 is connected to the main frame 120 of the base module 112 "on" the
pivot
axis 146. These embodiments advantageously provide a combination of support
for the
extension table and hydraulic assistance. In the first embodiment of the load
bed extension
module 102, the second frame extension member 150 is connected to the load bed
113 of
the base module 112 "off' the pivot axis 148. This embodiment advantageously
provides
additional support for the extension table 104 from above the extension table
104 in
addition to the support on the pivot point 162 provided by the truss member of
the first
frame extension member 140.
In the first and second embodiments of the load bed extension module 102, as
shown in FIGs. 1-10 and 11-23, respectively, the agricultural bale accumulator
100 further
comprises the second hydraulic fluid cylinder 190 having a first end connected
to the main
27

CA 02302217 2008-07-29
frame 120 and a second end connected to the portion 116 and 118 of the load
bed 113.
The second cylinder 190 moves the portion 116 and 118 of the load bed 113
relative to the
main frame 120 between the bale accumulating position and the bale discharging
position
responsive to receiving pressurized hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic fluid
source 115, as
shown in FIG. 41. FIG. 41 illustrates a schematic diagram of a hydraulic
system for use
with the agricultural bale accumulator of FIGs. 1 and 23. A hydraulic valve
214, as shown
in FIG. 41, selectively routes the pressurized hydraulic fluid from the
hydraulic fluid
source 115 to one of the first hydraulic cylinder 150 and the second hydraulic
cylinder 190
responsive to an electric control signal 216. This embodiment advantageously
permits
hydraulic power to be used to move the extension table 104 when there are a
limited
number of hydraulic sets of ports available from a tractor carrying the
hydraulic fluid
source 115. In the preferred embodiment, the tractor used to pull the baler
101 and the
bale accumulator 100 only has three hydraulic sets of ports: a first set is
used to by the
baler 101 to bale the crop into bales, a second set is used by the bale
accumulator 100 to
operate the bale transfer module 186, a third set to operate the bale
discharge module 116,
118, and 190. Therefore, one set is lacking to move the extension tables
between their
stowed and unstowed positions. Therefore, the third set of hydraulic ports is
advantageously shared between the bale discharge module 116, 118, and 190 and
the load
bed extension module 102.
In the first and second embodiments of the load bed extension module 102, as
shown in FIGs. 1-10 and 11-23, respectively, the second frame extension member
150
further comprises at least one spring member 152, connected to at least one of
the base
module 112, the first extension table 104 and the second frame extension
member 150, for
exerting a bias force on the first extension table 104 when the first
extension table 104 is
moved to at least one of the stowed position and the unstowed position. The
spring
member 152 advantageously pulls the collapsible frame member over its center
point when
moving the first extension table 104 to the stowed position. In the first
embodiment of the
load bed extension module 102, as shown in FIGs. 5-7, the spring member 152 is
connected to a front, top side of the first extension table 104 and to a
distal end of the
hydraulic cylinder 150. In the second and ninth embodiments of the load bed
extension
module 102, as shown in FIGs. 15-17 and 20-23, and FIGs. 36 and 37,
respectively, the
spring member 152 is connected to a bottom side of the first extension table
104 and to a
distal end of the hydraulic cylinder 150.
28

CA 02302217 2008-07-29
4. Third Frame Extension Member (ex: fixed frame)
The fixed frame member of the third frame extension member 154 is described
with reference to the second, fourth, and fifth, embodiments of the load bed
extension
module 20, as shown in FIGs. 11-23, 26 and 27, and 28 and 29, respectively.
In the second, fourth, and fifth, embodiments of the load bed extension module
20,
as shown in FIGs. 11-23, 26 and 27, and 28 and 29, respectively, the first
extension table
support system 130 further comprises a third frame extension member 154 having
a
proximal end 156 and a distal end 158. The proximal end 156 of the third frame
extension
member 154 is connected to the main frame 120. The distal end 158 of the third
frame
extension member 154 extends beyond the main frame 120 in a direction
transverse to a
traveling direction of the agricultural bale accumulator 100 at a fixed
position which is
located inside a road travel width dimension 160 of the agricultural bale
accumulator 100
to permit safe traveling of the agricultural bale accumulator 100 on a public
roadway when
the first extension table 104 is in the stowed position. A first portion of
the first extension
table 104 is positioned inside the distal end 158 of the third frame extension
member 154
and a second portion of the first extension table 104 is positioned outside
the distal end 158
of the third frame extension member 154 when the first extension table 104 is
in the
unstowed position to permit the third frame extension member 154 to contact
the first
extension table 104 between the first portion of the first extension table 104
and the second
portion of the first extension table 104 to support the first extension table
104 from the
main frame 120.
The fixed frame member of the third frame extension member 154 is removeably
attached to the main frame 120 using any attachment mechanism including,
without
limitation, nuts, bolts and clamps, as shown in FIGs. 15, 16 and 18. This
removable
attachment mechanism is beneficial when the fixed frame member of the third
frame
extension member 154 is attached to an existing bale accumulator 100.
Alternatively, the
fixed frame member of the third frame extension member 154 may be permanently
attached to the main frame 120 using any attachment mechanism including,
without
limitation, being integrally formed with or welded to the main frame 120, as
shown in
FIGs. 26 and 27, and 28 and 29. This fixed attachment mechanism is beneficial
when the
fixed frame member of the third frame extension member 154 is formed as part
of a new
bale accumulator 100.
29

CA 02302217 2008-07-29
These embodiments advantageously provide support for the extension table 104
with no moving parts. Further, the third frame extension member 154 is
positioned
directly beneath the extension table 104 to provide a component of force along
the vertical
axis 203 in an upward direction 225.
5. Fourth Frame Extension Member (ex: moveable frame)
The moveable frame member of the fourth frame extension member 192 is
described with reference to the fourth, sixth, seventh, eleventh and twelfth
embodiments of
the load bed extension module 102, as shown in FIGs. 26 and 27, 30 and 31, 32
and 33, 39,
and 40, respectively.
In the fourth, sixth, seventh, eleventh and twelfth embodiments of the load
bed
extension module 102, as shown in FIGs. 26 and 27, 30 and 31, 32 and 33, 39,
and 40,
respectively, the first extension table support system 130 further comprises a
fourth frame
extension member 192 and a frame attachment mechanism 218. The fourth frame
extension member 192 has a proximal end 194 and a distal end 196. The frame
attachment
mechanism 218 is connected to the proximal end 194 of the fourth frame
extension
member 192 and the main frame 120 to permit the distal end 196 of the fourth
frame
extension member 192 to be moveable relative to the main frame 120 between a
stowed
position and an unstowed position. The distal end 196 of the fourth frame
extension
member 192 moves towards the main frame 120 when the fourth frame extension
member
192 is in the stowed position, wherein the distal end 196 of the fourth frame
extension
member 192 moves away from the main frame 120 when the fourth frame extension
member 192 is in the unstowed position, wherein the distal end 196 of the
fourth frame
extension member 192 contacts the first extension table 104 to support the
first extension
table 104 from the main frame 120 when the fourth frame extension member 192
is in the
unstowed position.
In the fourth, sixth, seventh, eleventh and twelfth einbodiments of the load
bed
extension module 102, as shown in FIGs. 26 and 27, 30 and 31, 32 and 33, 39,
and 40,
respectively, the frame attachment mechanism 218 comprises a telescoping
mechanism for
telescopically connecting the proximal end 194 of the fourth frame extension
member 192
to the main frame 120 along a horizontal axis 146 or 148 relative to the main
frame 120.
Preferably, the frame attachment mechanism 218 telescopes from the main frame
along the
pivot axis 146 to provide support for the first extension table 104 when the
first extension
table moves between the bale accumulating position and the bale discharging
position.

CA 02302217 2008-07-29
Alternatively, the frame attachment mechanism 218 may telescope from the main
frame
"off' the pivot axis 148. Alternatively, the frame attachment mechanism 218
further
comprises a pivoting mechanism for pivotally connecting the proximal end 194
of the
fourth frame extension member 192 to the main frame 120 about a vertical axis
198
relative to the main frame 120.
In the fourth, sixth, seventh, eleventh and twelfth embodiments of the load
bed
extension module 102, as shown in FIGs. 26 and 27, 30 and 31, 32 and 33, 39,
and 40,
respectively, the first extension table support system 130 further comprises a
first support
wheel 164 connected to the distal end 196 of the fourth frame extension member
192 and
moveable with the fourth frame extension member 192 when the fourth frame
extension
member 192 moves between the stowed position and the unstowed position. The
first
support wheel 164 contacts the ground surface 128 to support the first
extension table 104
from the ground surface 128 when the fourth frame extension member 192 is in
the
unstowed position. The support wheel 164 advantageously provides additional
support for
the first 104 or second 106 extension table.
In the twelfth embodiment of the load bed extension module 102, as shown in
FIG.
40, the first support wheel 164 provides a sole support for a first side 124
of the base
module 112 from the ground surface 128 to permit the agricultural bale
accumulator 100 to
be transported across the ground surface 128 when the first extension table
104 is in the
stowed position and when the fourth frame extension member 192 is in the
stowed
position. The first support wheel 164 also provides the sole support for the
first side of the
base module 112 and the first extension table 104 from the ground surface 128
to permit
the agricultural bale accumulator 100 to be transported across the ground
surface 128 when
the first extension table 104 is in the unstowed position and when the fourth
frame
extension member 192 is in the unstowed position. In this embodiment, the main
wheels
108 and I 10 on the bale accumulator 100 are eliminated. Preferably, the frame
attachment
mechanism 218 telescopes the fourth frame extension member 192 from the main
frame
120 along the pivot axis 146 to provide support for the first 104 or second
106 extension
table when the load bed 113 moves between the bale accumulating position and
the bale
discharging position, as well as to provide the sole support for the one side
of the base
module 112 when the frame attachment mechanism 218 moves the fourth frame
extension
member 192 to the stowed position.
31

CA 02302217 2008-07-29
In the fourth, sixth, seventh, and eleventh embodiments of the load bed
extension
module 102, as shown in FIGs. 26 and 27, 30 and 31, 32 and 33, and 39,
respectively, the
agricultural bale accumulator 100 further comprises a first wheel 108 and a
second wheel
110 coupled to the main frame 120. The first wheel 108 and the second wheel
110 contact
the ground surface 128 to support the base module 112 from the ground surface
128 and to
permit the agricultural bale accumulator 100 to be transported across the
ground surface
128 when the first extension table 104 is in the stowed position and in the
unstowed
position and when the fourth frame extension member 192 is in the stowed
position and in
the unstowed position. The first support wheel 164 contacts the ground surface
128 to
support the first extension table 104 from the ground surface 128 when the
first extension
table 104 is in the unstowed position and when the fourth frame extension
member 192 is
in the unstowed position. The first wheel 108, the second wheel 110, and the
first support
wheel 164 share a common axis of rotation 134 when the fourth frame extension
member
192 is in at least the unstowed position. Preferably, the frame attachment
mechanism 218
telescopes from the main frame 120 along the pivot axis 146 to provide support
for the
extension tables when the load bed 113 moves to at least one of the bale
accumulating
position and the bale discharging position, as well as the additional support
for the one side
of the base module 112 when the frame attachment mechanism 218 moves the
fourth
frame extension member 192 to the stowed position.
C. Load Bed Alignment Mechanism
In the first and second embodiments of the load bed extension module 102, as
shown in FIGs. 1-10 and 11-23, respectively, the agricultural bale accumulator
further
comprises an alignment mechanism 206 for aligning the portion 116 and 118 of
the load
bed 113 with the main frame 120 when the portion 116 and 118 of the load bed
113 moves
from the bale discharging position to the bale accumulating position.
In the first embodiment of the load bed extension module 102, as particularly
shown in FIGs. 5-7, the alignment mechanism 206 includes first and second
alignment
members, each being in the shape of an inverted "V", connected to the main
frame 120 and
the portion 116 and 118 of the load bed 113, respectively, on a front side 117
of the bale
accumulator 100. The first alignment member cooperatively engages the second
alignment
member to align the portion 116 and 118 of the load bed 113 with the main
frame 120
when the portion 116 and 118 of the load bed 113 is in the bale accumulating
position.
32

CA 02302217 2008-07-29
The first alignment member cooperatively disengages the second alignment
member when
the portion 116 and 118 of the load bed 113 is in the bale discharging
position.
In the second embodiment of the load bed extension module 102, as particularly
shown in FIGs. 13, 15-19 and 21, the alignment mechanism 206 includes two
guide posts
attached to the fixed frame member of the third frame extension member 154.
The guide
posts are positioned to fall between a side 124 or 126 of the load bed 113 and
the first 104
or second 106 extension table to channel the load bed 113 into a home position
on the
main frame 120 when the load bed 113 is returning from the bale discharging
position to
the bale accumulating position.
The alignment mechanism 206 advantageously reduces the strain on the pivot
point
188 when the load bed 113 moves from the bale discharging position to the bale
accumulating position. Under new design considerations, the alignment
mechanism 206
may not be necessary, if heavy-duty construction materials are used,
especially on the
pivot point 188 and the load bed 113.
D. Load Bed Latch Mechanism
In the second embodiment of the load bed extension module 102, as shown in
FIGs. 11-23, the agricultural bale accumulator 100 further comprises a latch
mechanism
208 for latching the portion 116 and 118 of the load bed 113 to the main frame
120 when
the portion 116 and 118 of the load bed 113 is in the bale accumulating
position and for
unlatching the portion 116 and 118 of the load bed 113 from the main frame 120
when the
portion 116 and 118 of the load bed 113 is in the bale discharging position.
The latch mechanism 208 advantageously secures the portion 116 and 118 of the
load bed 113 to the main frame 120 when the extension tables have bales
accumulated
thereon. Without the latch mechanism 208, the weight of the bales on one side
of the
portion 116 and 118 of the load bed 113 could cause the front end 117 of the
portion 116
and 118 of the load bed 113 on the other side of the portion 116 and 118 of
the load bed
113 to twist in an upward direction away from the main frame 120. Under new
design
considerations, the latch mechanism 208 may not be necessary if heavy duty
construction
materials are used, especially on the pivot point 188 and the load bed 113.
In the second embodiment of the load bed extension module 102, the latch
mechanism 208 is shown in shown in FIGs. 13, 15, 16, and 18. The latch
mechanism 208
includes a hook member 205, connected to the front side 117 of the main frame
120, a bar
member 207, adapted to engage the hook member 205 and connected to the front
side 117
33

CA 02302217 2008-07-29
of the load bed 113, and a control bar 209, connected to the hook member 205.
The latch
mechanism 208 is attached to a front side 117 of the right side portion 116 of
the load bed
113. The control bar is connected between the hook member 205 and the
hydraulic
cylinder 190 that is used for tilting the portion 116 and 118 of the load bed
113. When the
hydraulic cylinder 190 begins to cause the portion 116 and 118 of the load bed
113 to
move to the bale discharging position, an end of the hydraulic cylinder 190
moves along a
slot 211 formed in the main frame 120 where the hydraulic cylinder 190 is
attached. Such
movement, pulls the control bar 209 to cause the hook member 205 to disengage
the bar
member 207 thereby permitting the hydraulic cylinder 190 to pivot the portion
116 and
118 of the load bed 113 to the bale discharging position. When the portion 116
and 118 of
the load bed 113 returns to the bale accumulating position from the bale
discharging
position, the hydraulic cylinder 190 moves the opposite direction along the
slot 211 to
cause the hook member 205 to engage the bar member 207 thereby securing the
portion
116 and 118 of the load bed 113 to the main frame 120. Therefore, the movement
of the
load bed 113 between bale accumulating position and the bale discharging
position by the
hydraulic cylinder 190 is advantageously mechanically coupled to the movement
of the
latch mechanism 208 between its latched position and its unlatched position,
respectively.
E. Bale Position Sensors
In the first and second embodiment of the load bed extension module 102, as
shown in FIGs. 1-10 and 11-23, respectively, each of the first 104 and second
106
extension tables include bale position sensors 176 and 178, respectively, for
sensing bales
disposed on each of the first 104 and second 106 extension tables,
respectively. Bale
position sensors 170, 172 and 174 are also located on the center table 114,
right table 116,
and left table 118 of load bed 113, respectively.
In one example, a bale position sensing module includes at least one bale
position
sensor 170, 172, 174, 176, and 178, and a controller (represented by element
216 in FIG.
41). Each bale position sensor 170, 172, 174, 176, and 178 typically includes
a bale
sensing plate and a switch. The bale position sensing module is adapted to
generate at
least one bale position signal responsive to determining a position of at
least one bale
accumulated on at least one of the center table 114, the right table 116, the
left table 118,
the first extension table 104, and the second extension table 106.
Each sensing plate has a predetermined location, and is moveable between a
first
position at least coplanar with the bale receiving surface, and a second
position extending
34

CA 02302217 2008-07-29
above the bale receiving surface. The sensing plate is located in the first
position
responsive to a bale applying a force on the sensing plate. The sensing plate
is located in
the second position responsive to a bale not applying a force on the sensing
plate.
The switch is coupled to the sensing plate. The switch has a first switch
state
responsive to the sensing plate being located in the first position to
generate a first bale
position signal. The switch has a second switch state responsive to the
sensing plate being
located in the second position to generate a second bale position signal.
The controller is adapted to generate a bale transfer signal and a bale
discharge
signal to control the bale transfer module and the bale discharge module,
respectively.
Each of the bale transfer signal and the bale discharge signal is represented
by at least one
of one of at least one bale position signal and an operator control signal.
F. Multiple Extension Tables
In the third through twelfth embodiments of the load bed extension module 102,
as
shown in FIGs. 24-40, the agricultural bale accumulator further comprises a
third
extension table 105, a third extension table attachment mechanism 125 and a
third
extension table support system. The third extension table attachment mechanism
125 is
connected to the third extension table 105 and the first extension table 104
to permit the
third extension table 105 to be moveable with the first extension table 104
relative to the
base module 112 when the first extension table 104 moves between the stowed
position
and the unstowed position. The third extension table 105 is moveable between a
stowed
position and an unstowed position relative to the first extension table 104.
The third
extension table 105 is substantially co-planar with the load bed 113 and the
first extension
table 104 and adjacent to the first extension table 104 when the first
extension table 104
and the third extension table 105 are each in their unstowed positions to
permit the third
extension table 105 to accumulate thereon at least one of the plurality of
bales.
The third extension table support system is connected to at least one of the
base
module 112, the first extension table 104, and the third extension table 105.
The third
extension table support system contacts the third extension table 105 at a
location beyond
the first extension table 104 and contacts at least one of the base module
112, the first
extension table 104 and the ground surface 128 to support the third extension
table 105
from at least one of the base module 112, the first extension table 104 and
the ground
surface 128, respectively, when the first extension table 104 and the third
extension table
105 are each in their unstowed positions.

CA 02302217 2008-07-29
In the third through tenth embodiment of the load bed extension module 102, as
shown in FIGs. 24-38, the first extension table attachment mechanism further
comprises a
first hinge 122 for pivotally connecting the first extension table 104 to the
base module
112, at the load bed 113, about a first hinge axis 136. The third extension
table attachment
mechanism further comprises a third hinge 125 for pivotally connecting the
third extension
table 105 to the first extension table 104 about a third hinge axis 137. The
first extension
table 104 pivots upwards towards the base module 112 about the first hinge
axis 136 when
the first extension table is in the stowed position. The third extension table
105 pivots
upwards towards the base module 112 and the first extension table 104 about
the third
hinge axis 137 when the third extension table 105 is in the stowed position.
These
embodiments advantageously permit the first 104 and third 105 extension tables
to fold up
next to the side of the load bed 113.
In the eleventh embodiment of the load bed extension module 102, as shown in
FIG. 39, the first extension table attachment mechanism further comprises a
first hinge 122
for pivotally connecting the first extension table 104 to the base module
about a first hinge
axis 136. The third extension table attachment mechanism further comprises a
third hinge
125 for pivotally connecting the third extension table 105 to the first
extension table 104
about a third hinge axis 137. The first extension table 105 pivots upwards
towards the
base module 112 about the first hinge axis 136 when the first extension table
104 is in the
stowed position. The third extension table 105 pivots downwards towards the
base module
112 and the first extension table 104 about the third hinge axis 137 when the
third
extension table 105 is in the stowed position. This embodiment advantageously
permits
the first 104 and third 105 extension tables to collapse in an accordion
fashion next to the
side of the load bed 113.
In the twelfth embodiment of the load bed extension module 102, as shown in
FIG.
40, the first extension table attachment mechanism further includes a first
telescoping
mechanism 220 for telescopically connecting a proximal end of the first
extension table
104 to the base module 112 along a horizontal axis relative to the base module
112. The
third extension table attachment mechanism further comprises a first
telescoping
mechanism 220 for telescopically connecting a proximal end of the third
extension table
105 to a distal end of the first extension table 104 along the horizontal axis
relative to the
base module 112. The first extension table 104 telescopes along the horizontal
axis to a
first position substantially inside a perimeter of the base module 112 when
the first
36

CA 02302217 2008-07-29
extension table 104 is in the stowed position. The third extension table 105
telescopes
along the horizontal axis to a first position substantially inside the
perimeter of the base
module 112 and preferably inside the first extension table 104 when the third
extension
table 104 is in the stowed position. The first extension table 104 telescopes
along the
horizontal axis to a second position substantially outside the perimeter of
the base module
112 when the first extension table 104 is in the unstowed position. The third
extension
table 105 telescopes along the horizontal axis to a second position
substantially outside the
perimeter of the base module 112 and preferably outside the first extension
table 104 when
the third extension table 105 is in the unstowed position. This twelfth
embodiment
advantageously permits the first 104 and third 105 extension tables to
collapse within the
perimeter of the load bed 113, and preferably inside or underneath the load
bed 113.
In the twelfth embodiment of the load bed extension module 102, as shown in
FIG.
40, a top surface of the first extension table 104 is lower than a top surface
of the load bed
113 by a first predetermined distance 204 when the first extension table 104
is in the
unstowed position. Further, a top surface of the third extension table 105 is
lower than the
top surface of the first extension table 104 by a second predetermined
distance 204 when
the third extension table 105 is in the unstowed position. This twelfth
embodiment
advantageously prevents bales disposed on the first 104 and third 105
extension tables
from sliding back towards the center the load bed 113 of the bale accumulator
100, under
relatively normal field conditions.
In the eleventh and twelfth embodiment of the load bed extension module 102,
as
shown in FIGs. 39 and 40, the moveable frame member of the fourth frame
extension
member 192 is connected to the third extension table 105 to move the first 104
and third
105 extension tables between their stowed and unstowed positions in
cooperation with the
moveable frame member of the fourth frame extension member 192 moving between
its
stowed and unstowed positions.
In FIG. 39, a bias spring 227 causes the first 104 and third 105 extension
tables to
pop upward about the hinge axis 225. The bias spring 227 exerts an upward
force on at
least one of the first 104 and third 105 extension tables to encourage the
first extension
table 104 to buckle towards the third extension table 105 about the hinge axis
225, without
jamming. Hence, the bias spring 227 prevents the from third extension table
105 from
jamming against the first extension table 104 through the hinge 125, if the
first 104 and
37

CA 02302217 2008-07-29
third 105 extension tables happen to be slightly inverted in a downward
direction forming
a "V" configuration.
In FIG. 39, spacers 229 support the first 104 and third 105 extension tables
on the
moveable frame member of the fourth frame extension member 192 when the first
104 and
third 105 extension tables are each moved to their respective unstowed
position.
Preferably, the spacers 229 are located on each of the first 104 and third 105
extension
tables in such a manner that the spacers 229 each of the first 104 and third
105 extension
tables interleave or nest with each other to avoid mechanical interference.
Hence, the
spacers 229 permit the bale receiving surfaces of the first 104 and third 105
extension
tables to be coplanar, even under the weight of the bales thereon, when the
first 104 and
third 105 extension tables are each moved to their respective unstowed
position.
G. Modular Attachment/Detachment
Preferably, the load bed extension module 102 of the present invention is
attachable to and detachable from the base module 112 as a modular unit
independently of
any other module on the agricultural bale accumulator 100. In each of the
first and second
embodiments of the load bed extension module 102, as shown in FIGs. 1-23, the
load bed
extension module 102 is adapted to a bale accumulator Model 1030, manufactured
by
Hoelscher, Inc., 312 S. Main, P.4 Box 195, Bushton, Kansas, U.S.A., 67427.
With a
modular construction, conventional bale accumulators presently used in the
field may be
upgraded with the load bed extension module 102 to increase the bale carrying
capacity of
the conventional bale accumulators. Alternatively, the modular construction of
the load
bed extension module 102 may offered as an option on newly manufactured bale
accumulators to vary the bale carrying capacity of the bale accumulator
according to the
desires of the manufacturer, wholesaler, retailer or purchaser of the bale
accumulator.
While the preferred embodiments describe a modular construction for the load
bed
extension module 102, the present invention is not limited to only a modular
construction.
The load bed extension module 102 may also be incorporated in to mechanical
designs for
bale accumulators such that it is not possible, difficult, or inconvenient to
detach the load
bed extension module 102 from the base module 112.
H. Combination of Extension Table Support Systems
FIG. 42 illustrates a table 212 having thirty-six embodiments of the extension
table
support system 130 for a load bed extension module 102 for use on 146 and/or
off 148 the
pivot axis and/or for one or more extension tables 104, 105, 106 or 107. The
twelve
38

CA 02302217 2008-07-29
embodiments of the load bed extension module 102 are represented as individual
combinations in the table 212. The table 212 shows each of the five
embodiments for
extension table support system 130 along each side of the table plus one
category on each
side indicating no support for an extension table. In the first and second
embodiments of
the load bed extension module 102, as shown in FIGs. 1-10 and 11-23,
respectively, the
table 212 is applied to one extension table 104 or 106 disposed on a side of
the base
module 112. In the third through twelfth embodiments of the load bed extension
module
102, as shown in FIGs. 24-40, the table 212 is applied to more than one
extension table
104 and 105 disposed on a side of the base module 112. In all twelve
embodiments of the
load bed extension module 102, as shown in FIGs. 1-40, the table 212 is
applied to on 146
and/or off 148 the pivot axis. Thus, from the combinations in the table 212
and from the
preferred embodiments described hereinabove numerous design alternatives can
be
achieved without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
1. Processing System
The agricultural bale accumulator 100 may employ a processing system,
otherwise
referred to as a processor or a controller. The processing system cooperates
with the
modules, systems, elements, structures, devices, methods, and/or processes
shown and
described herein (e.g., FIG. 41) to operate the agricultural bale accumulator
100.
As is well known in the art of processing systems, a processor is a device
and/or set
of machine-readable instructions for performing task. A processor may be any
device,
capable of executing a series of instructions embodying a process or a method,
including
but not limited to a computer, a microprocessor, a controller, an application
specific
integrated circuit (ASIC), finite state machine, digital signal processor
(DSP), data
processing system, or some other device or mechanism. The processor employs
any
combination of hardware, firmware, and/or software. The processor acts upon
stored
and/or received information by computing, manipulating, analyzing, modifying,
converting, and/or transmitting information for use by an executable
application or
procedure or an information device, and/or by routing the information to an
output device.
As is well known in the art of processing systems, an executable application
comprises machine code or machine-readable instruction for implementing
predetermined
functions including, for example, those of an operating system, a software
application
program, or other information processing system, for example, in response user
command
or input.
39

CA 02302217 2008-07-29
As is well known in the art of processing systems, an executable procedure is
a
segment of code, sequence of instructions, machine-readable instructions, sub-
routine, or
other distinct section of code or portion of an executable application for
performing one or
more particular processes, and may include performing operations on received
input
parameters (or in response to received input parameters) and providing
resulting output
parameters.
As is well known in the art of processing systems, an executable application
and/or
executable procedure, provided as machine-readable instructions, may be
employed by a
machine-readable medium. A machine-readable medium includes any mechanism that
provides (e.g., stores and/or transmits) information in a form accessible by a
machine (e.g.,
a computer, network device, personal digital assistant, computer, processor,
controller,
data processing system, manufacturing tool, any device with a set of one or
more
processors, etc.). A machine-readable medium can be used to store software and
data
which, when executed by a data processing system, causes the system to perform
various
methods or processes. Examples of a machine-readable medium includes
recordable/non-
recordable media (e.g., read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM),
magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash memory devices, non-
volatile
memory, cache, remote storage device, etc.), as well as electrical, optical,
acoustic, or
other forms of propagated signals (e.g., carrier waves, infrared signals,
digital signals,
etc.), etc.
While the present invention has been described with reference to various
illustrative embodiments thereof, the present invention is not intended that
the invention be
limited to these specific embodiments. Those skilled in the art will recognize
that
variations and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of
the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Representative Drawing
A single figure which represents the drawing illustrating the invention.
Administrative Status

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Please note that "Inactive:" events refers to events no longer in use in our new back-office solution.

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Event History

Description Date
Inactive: Expired (new Act pat) 2017-09-02
Reissue Withdrawal Requirements Determined Compliant 2015-11-03
Inactive: Reply to Reissue Board 2015-11-03
Inactive: Office letter 2015-02-03
Inactive: Office letter 2013-11-08
Inactive: Report - No QC 2013-11-05
Letter Sent 2013-02-06
Reissue Requirements Determined Compliant 2013-01-28
Inactive: Reissue fee processed 2013-01-28
Reissue Application Request Received 2013-01-28
Grant by Issuance 2009-01-27
Inactive: Cover page published 2009-01-26
Inactive: Office letter 2008-11-20
Notice of Allowance is Issued 2008-11-20
Inactive: Approved for allowance (AFA) 2008-11-10
Amendment Received - Voluntary Amendment 2008-07-29
Small Entity Declaration Determined Compliant 2008-05-13
Small Entity Declaration Request Received 2008-05-13
Inactive: S.30(2) Rules - Examiner requisition 2008-01-29
Letter Sent 2007-07-17
Amendment Received - Voluntary Amendment 2007-06-29
Reinstatement Request Received 2007-06-29
Final Fee Paid and Application Reinstated 2007-06-29
Withdraw from Allowance 2007-06-29
Pre-grant 2007-06-29
Deemed Abandoned - Conditions for Grant Determined Not Compliant 2006-06-29
Inactive: IPC from MCD 2006-03-12
Inactive: IPC from MCD 2006-03-12
Notice of Allowance is Issued 2005-12-29
Letter Sent 2005-12-29
Notice of Allowance is Issued 2005-12-29
Inactive: Approved for allowance (AFA) 2005-10-06
Amendment Received - Voluntary Amendment 2005-05-16
Inactive: S.30(2) Rules - Examiner requisition 2004-11-16
Letter Sent 2002-10-16
Amendment Received - Voluntary Amendment 2002-08-28
Request for Examination Requirements Determined Compliant 2002-08-26
All Requirements for Examination Determined Compliant 2002-08-26
Request for Examination Received 2002-08-26
Letter Sent 2001-03-23
Inactive: Correspondence - Transfer 2001-03-14
Inactive: Single transfer 2001-03-01
Inactive: Cover page published 2000-05-08
Inactive: First IPC assigned 2000-05-05
Inactive: Courtesy letter - Evidence 2000-04-25
Inactive: Notice - National entry - No RFE 2000-04-18
Application Received - PCT 2000-04-14
Application Published (Open to Public Inspection) 1999-03-11

Abandonment History

Abandonment Date Reason Reinstatement Date
2007-06-29
2006-06-29

Maintenance Fee

The last payment was received on 2006-06-29

Note : If the full payment has not been received on or before the date indicated, a further fee may be required which may be one of the following

  • the reinstatement fee;
  • the late payment fee; or
  • additional fee to reverse deemed expiry.

Please refer to the CIPO Patent Fees web page to see all current fee amounts.

Owners on Record

Note: Records showing the ownership history in alphabetical order.

Current Owners on Record
FARM TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Past Owners on Record
KEVIN D. KASCHKE
PHILLIP G. SPANIOL
STEPHEN J. SPANIOL
Past Owners that do not appear in the "Owners on Record" listing will appear in other documentation within the application.
Documents

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Document
Description 
Date
(yyyy-mm-dd) 
Number of pages   Size of Image (KB) 
Representative drawing 2000-05-08 1 8
Claims 2000-03-01 44 2,354
Description 2000-03-01 35 2,257
Drawings 2000-03-01 19 626
Abstract 2000-03-01 1 67
Cover Page 2000-05-08 2 76
Claims 2005-05-16 18 1,019
Description 2005-05-16 34 2,355
Abstract 2005-05-16 1 37
Drawings 2005-05-16 19 637
Representative drawing 2005-11-18 1 13
Claims 2007-06-29 44 2,213
Abstract 2007-06-29 1 26
Claims 2008-07-29 75 4,021
Description 2008-07-29 40 2,527
Cover Page 2009-01-12 2 57
Notice of National Entry 2000-04-18 1 193
Request for evidence or missing transfer 2001-03-05 1 108
Courtesy - Certificate of registration (related document(s)) 2001-03-23 1 113
Reminder - Request for Examination 2002-05-06 1 118
Acknowledgement of Request for Examination 2002-10-16 1 176
Commissioner's Notice - Application Found Allowable 2005-12-29 1 161
Courtesy - Abandonment Letter (NOA) 2006-09-07 1 166
Notice of Reinstatement 2007-07-17 1 171
Correspondence 2000-04-18 1 15
PCT 2000-03-01 7 299
Fees 2003-08-19 1 35
Fees 2001-08-17 1 25
Fees 2002-08-28 1 36
Fees 2000-08-18 1 29
Fees 2004-07-29 1 32
Fees 2005-08-19 1 28
Fees 2006-06-29 1 48
Correspondence 2008-05-13 3 63
Correspondence 2013-02-06 1 11
Correspondence 2014-02-10 7 349
Response to reissue board letter 2015-11-03 1 33
Fees 2016-09-02 1 26