Belt tension lockout device for an agricultural baler
AssigneeCNH Industrial America LLC
InventorCharles Brandon Peterson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A lockout device for a round baler. The lockout device has a body configured for being connected to a side of the tailgate of the round baler, a handle pivotally connected to the body at a pivot point, a wedge pivotally connected to the body at the same pivot point, and a biasing member connected in between the handle and the wedge. The handle is configured for pivoting in between a closed position and an open position for pivoting the wedge to be at least partially within the bale chamber to lock out the bale chamber.
Claims20
A lockout device for a round baler, the round baler comprising a bale chamber and a tailgate, the lockout device comprising:
- a body configured for being connected to a side of the tailgate;
- a handle pivotally connected to the body at a pivot point;
- a wedge pivotally connected to the body at the same pivot point;
- and
- a biasing member connected in between the handle and the wedge, wherein the handle is configured for pivoting in between a closed position and an open position for pivoting the wedge to be at least partially within the bale chamber to lock out the bale chamber.
A round baler, comprising:
- a frame;
- a bale chamber configured for forming bales therein, the bale chamber comprising a plurality of rollers and at least one belt supported by the plurality of rollers;
- a support arm movably connected in between the frame and at least one roller of the plurality of rollers;
- a tailgate pivotally connected to the frame, the tailgate comprising a side panel with a slot therein;
- and
- a lockout device configured for selectively locking out the bale chamber by preventing a movement of the support arm, and comprising:
- a body connected to the side panel of the tailgate;
- a handle pivotally connected to the body at a pivot point;
- a wedge pivotally connected to the body at the same pivot point;
- and
- a biasing member connected in between the handle and the wedge, wherein the handle is configured for pivoting in between a closed position and an open position for pivoting the wedge at least partially through the slot in the side panel of the tailgate so that the wedge locks out the bale chamber by engaging with the support arm and preventing the movement thereof for de-tensioning the at least one belt.
A method for operating a round baler, the round baler comprising a bale chamber having at least one belt, a support arm, and a tailgate, the method comprising:
- providing a lockout device for the round baler comprising a body configured for being connected to a side of the tailgate, a handle pivotally connected to the body at a pivot point, a wedge pivotally connected to the body at the same pivot point, and a single biasing member connected in between the handle and the wedge;
- pivoting the handle from a closed position to an open position wherein a biasing force of the biasing member automatically pivots the wedge such that the wedge at least partially extends into the bale chamber;
- raising the tailgate for allowing the support arm to slide past the wedge;
- and
- lowering the tailgate for allowing the support arm to abut the wedge such that the wedge prevents a movement thereof for de-tensioning the at least one belt.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.