FIELD

The present invention relates to pickup balers. More specifically, the present invention relates to mechanisms for unclogging the pickup balers.

DEFINITION

Slipper clutch: The term ‘slipper clutch’ herein this specification refers to a clutch developed for mitigating the effects of engine braking to the adjoined element.

Sprag clutch bearing: The term ‘sprag clutch bearing’ herein this specification refers to a one-way bearing which allows movement in only one direction and instantly prevents force from being driven in the opposite direction.

Reversing lever: The term ‘reversing lever’ herein this specification refers to a lever that allows rotation of a rotating mechanism to move in a reverse direction. The reversing lever is also known as the reverse lever or the reversal lever.

BACKGROUND

The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art. Pickup balers are used to collect and compress straw, hay and any other farm residue into compact bales that are relatively easier to handle, transport, and store. Typically, the baler comprises a drive shaft which runs on the power transmitted through PTO shaft of a tractor. The baler further comprises tines that help in gathering the straw and hay from the ground. However, sometimes while in operation, the tines of the baler tend to be clogged with straws and hay. In such instances, if the power continues to be transmitted to the drive shaft, excess load is exerted on the clogged tines, which thus leads to the failure of the tines.

Conventionally, the balers are equipped with the help of devices such as a shear bolt or a torque limiter as a means for absorbing the excess load. When the tines are clogged and the drive shaft is compelled to rotate, the shear bolt breaks to stop the transmission from rotating further. Although, this results in reduced damages to the baler and its drive shaft, the breaking of shear bolt causes a sudden shock that can reduce the life of drive system. Further, to unclog the tines, an operator has to get out of the tractor and remove the clog manually, which is a tedious job that consumes a lot of efforts and time. Generally, for the ease of frequent changing of the shear bolt, the operator tends to remove the protective side cover of the baler which covers the chain drive. However, removal of the side covers causes severe dust collection in chain drive further causing damage and subsequent reduction of the life of the chain.

There is, therefore felt a need of an arrangement that alleviates the aforementioned drawbacks.

OBJECTS

Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:

An object of the present disclosure is to provide an arrangement for unclogging a pickup baler.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an arrangement for unclogging a pickup baler, which eliminates tedious efforts that were conventionally required for unclogging the pickup baler, and which included shutting off the tractor and removing the clog manually.

Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide an arrangement for unclogging a pickup baler which reduces the need for a shear bolt for bearing the excess load exerted when the baler is clogged.

Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide an arrangement for unclogging a pickup baler which reduces the time and effort required for unclogging the baler.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an arrangement for unclogging a pickup baler, which does not require removal of the side covers of the balers for fitting a shear bolt therein.

Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide an arrangement for unclogging a pickup baler, which improves the life of the chain and drive system of the baler from abrasive dust.

Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide an arrangement for unclogging a pickup baler, which ensures that the drive system of a baler does not suffer from sudden shock of shear bolt breakage. Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure envisages an arrangement for unclogging a pickup baler. The arrangement for unclogging a pickup baler configured to be attached to a tractor. The baler having a drive shaft coupled to a PTO shaft of the tractor with the help of a chain sprocket. The baler further having tines configured to pick up straws of hay and grass. The arrangement comprises a slipper clutch and a reversing lever. The slipper clutch mounted on the drive shaft. The slipper clutch configured to engage with the PTO shaft in an operative configuration of the baler, and further configured to slip at a predetermined load, attained when the tines are clogged, to prevent transmission of power from the PTO shaft to the drive shaft. The reversing lever mounted on the drive shaft between the chain sprocket and the slipper clutch, the reversing lever defined by a housing mounted on the drive shaft and an arm extending from the housing, the lever having a clutch bearing contained in the housing, the clutch bearing configured to be in a slip configuration with the chain sprocket in an operative configuration of the baler. On slippage of the slipper clutch, the reversing lever is angularly displaced to engage the clutch bearing with the slipper clutch and rotate the slipper clutch in an opposite direction, to facilitate reverse rotation of the drive shaft for unclogging the baler.

In an embodiment, the slipper clutch comprises a pair of friction plates and a clutch plate disposed between the friction plates. The clutch plate is mounted on the drive shaft. The clutch plate configured to slip when the baler is clogged.

In another embodiment, the clutch plate is secured to the friction plates with the help of pre- loaded springs.

In yet another embodiment, the clutch bearing is a sprag clutch bearing.

In still another embodiment, an outer race of the clutch bearing is flush with the operative inner surface of the housing.

In one embodiment, an inner race of the clutch bearing is configured to be fitted to a sprocket plate of the chain sprocket.

In an embodiment, the arm of the reversing lever is configured to be hydraulically displaced. In another embodiment, the arm of the reversing lever is configured to be electro- mechanically displaced

In yet another embodiment, the arm of the reversing lever is configured to be electrically displaced.

The present disclosure further describes a method for unclogging a pickup baler configured to be attached to a tractor, the baler having a drive shaft coupled to a PTO shaft of the tractor with the help of a chain sprocket, the baler further having tines configured to pick up straws of hay and grass, the method comprising the following steps: o providing a slipper clutch on the drive shaft; o preventing transmission of power from the PTO shaft to the drive shaft by allowing the slipper clutch to slip at a predetermined load attained when the tines are clogged; o providing a reversing lever on the drive shaft between the chain sprocket and the slipper clutch; and o unclogging the straws stuck in the baler by angularly displacing the reversing lever for rotating the slipper clutch in a predetermined direction to facilitate reverse rotation of the drive shaft.

In an embodiment, the method includes the step of providing a clutch bearing with the reversing lever.

In another embodiment, angular displacement of the reversing lever causes engagement of the clutch bearing with the slipper clutch to rotate the slipper clutch in the predetermined direction to facilitate reverse rotation of the drive shaft.

The present disclosure also provides a use of an arrangement for unclogging a pickup baler configured to be attached to a tractor. The baler has a drive shaft coupled to a PTO shaft of the tractor with the help of a chain sprocket. The baler further has tines configured to pick up straws of hay and grass. The arrangement comprises a slipper clutch and a reversing lever. The slipper clutch is mounted on the drive shaft. The slipper clutch is configured to engage with the PTO shaft in an operative configuration of the baler, and is further configured to slip at a predetermined load, attained when the tines are clogged, to prevent transmission of power from the PTO shaft to the drive shaft. The reversing lever is mounted on the drive shaft between the chain sprocket and the slipper clutch. The reversing lever is defined by a housing mounted on the drive shaft and an arm extending from the housing. The lever has a clutch bearing contained in the housing. The clutch bearing is configured to be in a slip configuration with the chain sprocket in an operative configuration of the baler. On slippage of the slipper clutch, the reversing lever is angularly displaced to engage the clutch bearing with the slipper clutch and rotate the slipper clutch in an opposite direction, to facilitate reverse rotation of the drive shaft for unclogging the baler.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING

An arrangement for unclogging a pickup baler of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of the baler with the arrangement of the present disclosure;

Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of the tines of the pickup of the baler;

Figure 3 illustrates an isometric view of the arrangement of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 illustrates an exploded view of the arrangement of Figure 3;

Figure 5 illustrates a rear view of the arrangement of Figure 3;

Figure 6 illustrates an isometric view of an hydraulically actuated arrangement of Figure 3; and

Figure 7 illustrates an isometric view of an electrically actuated arrangement of Figure 3.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

100 arrangement

105 slipper clutch

110 reversing lever

112 housing

114 arm

116 clutch bearing

118 A, 118B friction plate 120 clutch plate

121 mounting plate

122 pre-loaded spring

124 fastener

200 tine

202 chain sprocket

204 drive shaft

1000 pickup baler

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.

The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms “a”, “an” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “including”, “includes” and “having” are open-ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. An arrangement (100) for unclogging a pickup baler (1000) will now be described in detail with respect to Figure 1 through Figure 7.

The pickup baler (1000) is configured to be attached to a tractor. The baler (1000) has a drive shaft (204) coupled to a PTO shaft of the tractor to receive power from the tractor. In an embodiment, the drive shaft (204) is coupled to the PTO shaft with the help of a chain sprocket (202). The chain sprocket (202) is essentially a means for transmitting power, and includes a roller chain configured to engage with at least two sprocket plates. The baler (1000) includes tines (200) that have D shaped tines (200) for picking up hay and grass.

In an operative configuration of the baler (1000), if the tines (200) are clogged, the load exerted on the drive shaft (204) is increased to rotate the drive shaft (204). If the exerted load is more than a set load and the drive shaft (204) continues deriving power from the PTO shaft, the tines (200) of the baler (1000) keep on rotating, and subsequently collapse and damage the baler (1000). Hence, it is necessary that the drive shaft (204) is disengaged from the PTO shaft.

The arrangement (100) comprises a slipper clutch (105) and a reversing lever (110). The slipper clutch (105) is mounted on the drive shaft (204). The slipper clutch (105) is configured to engage with the PTO shaft in an operative configuration of the baler (1000). The slipper clutch (105) is further configured to slip at a predetermined load which is attained when the tines (200) of the baler (1000) are clogged. Slippage of the slipper clutch (105) ensures that transmission of power from the PTO shaft to the drive shaft (204) is prevented, thus preventing collapsing of the tines (200).

The reversing lever (110) is mounted on the drive shaft (204) between the chain sprocket (202) and the slipper clutch (105). The reversing lever (110) is defined by a housing (112) mounted on the drive shaft (204) and an arm (114) extending from the housing (112). The lever has a clutch bearing (116) contained in the housing (112). The clutch bearing (116) is configured to be in a slip configuration with the chain sprocket (202) in an operative configuration of the baler (1000).

On slippage of the slipper clutch (105), the reversing lever (110) is angularly displaced to engage the clutch bearing (116) with the slipper clutch (105) and rotate the slipper clutch (105) in an opposite direction, to facilitate reverse rotation of the drive shaft (204) for unclogging the baler (1000). The clutch bearing (116) is further configured to be engaged with the slipper clutch (105) when the reversing lever (110) is angularly displaced on slippage of the slipper clutch (105) to enable rotation of the slipper clutch (105) in the opposite direction. As a result, reverse rotation of the drive shaft (204) is facilitated, which in turn reverses the rotation of the tines (200) and unclogs the baler (1000).

In an embodiment, the slipper clutch (105) comprises a pair of friction plates (118A, 118B) and a clutch plate (120) disposed between the friction plates (118A, 118B). The clutch plate (120) is mounted on the drive shaft (204). The clutch plate (120) is configured to slip when the tines (200) of the baler (1000) are clogged, thereby causing slippage of the slipper clutch (105). In another embodiment, the clutch plate (120) is secured to the friction plates (118A, 118B) with the help of pre-loaded springs (122) and fasteners (124).

In a preferred embodiment, the clutch bearing (116) is a sprag clutch bearing (116). In an embodiment, an outer race of the clutch bearing (116) is configured to be flush with the operative inner surface of the housing (112), when the clutch bearing (116) is hosed in the housing (112). In another embodiment, an inner race of the clutch bearing (116) is configured to be fitted to a sprocket plate of the chain sprocket (202).

In one embodiment, the arm (114) of the reversing lever (110) is configured to be hydraulically displaced. In another embodiment, the arm (114) of the reversing lever (110) is configured to be electro-mechanically displaced. In yet another embodiment, the arm (114) of the reversing lever (110) is configured to be electrically displaced.

The arrangement (100) eliminates tedious efforts that were conventionally required for unclogging the pickup baler (1000), and which included shutting off the tractor and removing the clog manually. Further, since the component of the shear bolt is not required by the arrangement (100) of the present disclosure, the time, effort and price required by a conventional baler (1000) to replace the shear bolt is removed. Additionally, the balers (1000) can operate with their side covers attached thereon, thereby protecting the chain and drive system from abrasive dust and improving their life. Further elimination of the shear bolts ensures that the drive system does not suffer from sudden shock of shear bolt breakage. Instead, the arrangement (100) makes sure that the load exerted on the baler (1000) tines (200) is gradually transmitted. The present disclosure further describes a method for unclogging a pickup baler (1000) configured to be attached to a tractor, the baler (1000) having a drive shaft (204) coupled to a PTO shaft of the tractor with the help of a chain sprocket (202), the baler (1000) further having tines (200) configured to pick up straws of hay and grass, the method comprising the following steps:

Step 102: providing a slipper clutch (105) on the drive shaft (204);

Step 104: preventing transmission of power from the PTO shaft to the drive shaft (204) by allowing the slipper clutch to slip at a predetermined load attained when the tines (200) are clogged;

Step 106: providing a reversing lever (110) on the drive shaft (204) between the chain sprocket (202) and the slipper clutch (105); and

Step 108: unclogging the straws stuck in the baler (1000) by angularly displacing the reversing lever (110) for rotating the slipper clutch (105) in a predetermined direction to facilitate reverse rotation of the drive shaft (204).

In an embodiment, the method includes the step of providing a clutch bearing (116) with the reversing lever (110).

In another embodiment, angular displacement of the reversing lever (110) causes engagement of the clutch bearing (116) with the slipper clutch (105) to rotate the slipper clutch (105) in the predetermined direction to facilitate reverse rotation of the drive shaft (204).

The present disclosure also provides a use of an arrangement (100) for unclogging a pickup baler (1000) configured to be attached to a tractor. The baler (1000) has a drive shaft (204) coupled to a PTO shaft of the tractor with the help of a chain sprocket (202). The baler (1000) further has tines (200) configured to pick up straws of hay and grass. The arrangement (100) comprises a slipper clutch (105) and a reversing lever (110). The slipper clutch (105) is mounted on the drive shaft (204). The slipper clutch (105) is configured to engage with the PTO shaft in an operative configuration of the baler (1000), and is further configured to slip at a predetermined load, attained when the tines (200) are clogged, to prevent transmission of power from the PTO shaft to the drive shaft (204). The reversing lever (110) is mounted on the drive shaft (204) between the chain sprocket (202) and the slipper clutch (105). The reversing lever (110) is defined by a housing (112) mounted on the drive shaft (204) and an arm (114) extending from the housing (112). The lever has a clutch bearing (116) contained in the housing (112). The clutch bearing (116) is configured to be in a slip configuration with the chain sprocket (202) in an operative configuration of the baler (1000). On slippage of of the slipper clutch (105), the reversing lever (110) is angularly displaced to engage the clutch bearing (116) with the slipper clutch (105) and rotate the slipper clutch (105) in an opposite direction, to facilitate reverse rotation of the drive shaft (204) for unclogging the baler (1000).

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS

The present disclosure described hereinabove has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of an arrangement for unclogging a pickup of a baler that:

• eliminates tedious efforts that were conventionally required for unclogging the pickup baler, and which included shutting off the tractor and removing the clog manually;

• reduces the need for a shear bolt for bearing the excess load exerted when the baler is clogged;

• reduces the time and effort required for unclogging the baler;

• does not require removal of the side covers of the balers for fitting a shear bolt therein;

• improves the life of the chain and drive system of the baler from abrasive dust; and

• ensures that the drive system of the baler does not suffer from sudden shock of shear bolt breakage.

The foregoing disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration. The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

Any discussion of materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.

While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.