Pressure sensing latch for a round baler
AssigneeThe Paul Revere Corporation
InventorPaul C. Rutschilling
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A latch mechanism is presented which is useful with a machine which gathers crop material from a windrow and forms it into large round bales. The latching mechanism senses bale density while holding the opposing faces of the tailgate closed during the bale forming operation. Density is sensed by spring mounting the latch slides so that the tailgate comes slightly ajar when pressure in the baling chamber builds up. The amount of separation of the opposing faces of the tailgate is sensed and when it exceeds a specified amount, initiates a bale discharge sequence. The tailgate lifting mechanism is interlocked with the latch release to assure safe operation of the system.
Claims9
A latching mechanism for use with a baler comprising:
- a bale forming cavity defined by peripheral elements having at least one wall member that can move relative to another;
- a latching assembly having a first latch member secured to said moveable wall member and a second latch member secured to the other, the first latch member and second latch member being engageable to secure the moveable wall member from moving relative to another;
- means associated with said latching assembly for enabling said latch members to partially disengage in response to a predetermined pressure on said moveable wall member;
- means responsive to said partial disengagement to signal that the predetermined pressure has been achieved;
- and
- means for totally disengaging said latch members to permit said cavity members to move relative to one another.
A latching mechanism for use with a baler comprising:
- a bale forming cavity defined by peripheral elements having at least one wall member that can move relative to another to form a tailgate for removing said bale from said cavity;
- a latching assembly having a first latch member secured to said tailgate and a second latch member secured to another wall member, the first and second latch members being engageable to secure the tailgate;
- means associated with said latching assembly for enabling said latch members to partially disengage in response to a predetermined pressure on said tailgate;
- means responsive to said partial disengagement to signal that the predetermined pressure has been achieved;
- and
- means for totally disengaging said latch members to permit said tailgate to open to discharge a bale.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.