Gate latch pocket deflector

A baler implement comprising:

• a main frame extending along a central longitudinal axis between a forward end and a rearward end relative to a direction of travel;
• a main housing attached to and supported by the main frame;
• a gate positioned adjacent the rearward end of the main frame and attached to and rotatably supported by the main housing, wherein the gate is pivotably moveable about a gate axis that is perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the main frame;
• a latch housing coupled to one of the main frame or the gate, the latch housing having a retainer and defining a pocket having an opening;
• a latch coupled to an other one of the main frame or the gate for engaging the retainer of the latch housing, wherein the latch is controllable between a release position operable to disengage the retainer to allow the gate to move relative to the main housing and an engaged position operable to engage the retainer to hold the gate relative to the main housing;
• and
• a debris shield positioned to at least partially cover the opening, wherein the debris shield is resiliently deformable to allow the latch to move through the opening of the pocket, the debris shield to limit debris entering the pocket, the debris shield including a first flexible flap coupled to one of a first portion of the latch housing or a second portion of the latch housing and extending toward an other one of the first portion of the latch housing or the second portion of the latch housing.

A baler implement comprising:

• a main frame extending along a central longitudinal axis between a forward end and a rearward end relative to a direction of travel;
• a main housing attached to and supported by the main frame;
• a gate positioned adjacent the rearward end of the main frame and attached to and rotatably supported by the main housing, wherein the gate is pivotably moveable about a gate axis that is perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the main frame;
• a latch housing coupled to one of the main frame or the gate, the latch housing having a retainer and defining a pocket having an opening;
• a latch coupled to an other one of the main frame or the gate for engaging the retainer of the latch housing, wherein the latch is controllable between a release position operable to disengage the retainer to allow the gate to move relative to the main housing and an engaged position operable to engage the retainer to hold the gate relative to the main housing;
• and
• a debris shield positioned to at least partially cover the opening, wherein the debris shield is resiliently deformable to allow the latch to move through the opening of the pocket, the debris shield to limit debris entering the pocket, the debris shield including a foam block coupled to one of a first portion of the latch housing or a second portion of the latch housing and extending toward an other one of the first portion of the latch housing or the second portion of the latch housing.

A latch assembly coupled to a main frame of a baler implement to selectively hold a gate relative to a main housing of the baler implement, the latch assembly comprising:

• a latch housing coupled to one of the main frame or the gate, the latch housing having a retainer and defining a pocket having an opening;
• a latch coupled to an other one of the main frame or the gate for engaging the retainer of the latch housing, wherein the latch is controllable between a release position operable to disengage the retainer to allow the gate to move relative to the main housing and an engaged position operable to engage the retainer to hold the gate relative to the main housing;
• and
• a debris shield positioned to at least partially cover the opening, wherein the debris shield is resiliently deformable to allow the latch to move through the opening of the pocket, the debris shield to limit debris entering the pocket, the debris shield including a brush positioned across at least a portion of the opening of the pocket.

A latch assembly coupled to a main frame of a baler implement to selectively hold a gate relative to a main housing of the baler implement, the latch assembly comprising:

• a latch housing coupled to one of the main frame or the gate, the latch housing having a retainer and defining a pocket having an opening;
• a latch coupled to an other one of the main frame or the gate for engaging the retainer of the latch housing, wherein the latch is controllable between a release position operable to disengage the retainer to allow the gate to move relative to the main housing and an engaged position operable to engage the retainer to hold the gate relative to the main housing;
• and
• a debris shield positioned to at least partially cover the opening, wherein the debris shield is resiliently deformable to allow the latch to move through the opening of the pocket, the debris shield to limit debris entering the pocket, the debris shield including a first flexible flap coupled to one of a first portion of the latch housing or a second portion of the latch housing and extending toward an other one of the first portion of the latch housing or the second portion of the latch housing.

A latch assembly coupled to a main frame of a baler implement to selectively hold a gate relative to a main housing of the baler implement, the latch assembly comprising:

• a latch housing coupled to one of the main frame or the gate, the latch housing having a retainer and defining a pocket having an opening;
• a latch coupled to an other one of the main frame or the gate for engaging the retainer of the latch housing, wherein the latch is controllable between a release position operable to disengage the retainer to allow the gate to move relative to the main housing and an engaged position operable to engage the retainer to hold the gate relative to the main housing;
• and
• a debris shield positioned to at least partially cover the opening, wherein the debris shield is resiliently deformable to allow the latch to move through the opening of the pocket, the debris shield to limit debris entering the pocket, the debris shield including a foam block coupled to one of a first portion of the latch housing or a second portion of the latch housing and extending toward an other one of the first portion or the second portion.