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US 7,526,995 B2Granted
Strap welding system and method
AssigneeH.W.J. Designs for Agribusiness, Inc.
InventorsBradley Paul Actis, Howard W. Jaenson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Bale strap assemblies for strapping a pressed bale are discussed herein. The bale strap assemblies may include a strap positioning assembly having a plurality of strap assemblies and a return chute assembly having a plurality of return chutes for returning straps to the strap assemblies for strapping the pressed bale. The strap position assembly and return chute assembly incorporate cylinders to move between different positions during a strapping cycle. Exemplary embodiments include provisions for accommodating a press turntable of a down packer and registration means for providing a greater number of straps to strap a bale than a corresponding number of strap assemblies.
Claims50
A combination strap assembly and baling press comprising:
- a base plate for pressing pressible materials against, said base plate defining a plane,
- an upper plate assembly, a lower plate assembly, and a baling chamber defining a cavity for pressing a bale;
- a strap positioning assembly comprising a plurality of strap assemblies for providing straps around the pressible materials, said strap positioning assembly comprising an upper end positioned away from the base plate and a lower end positioned closer to the base plate than the upper end;
- a return chute assembly comprising a plurality of return chutes for redirecting straps supplied by the plurality of strap assemblies;
- a structure comprising a moveable arm for moving the plurality of strap assemblies from a position substantially below the plane defined by the base plate to a position above, at least in part, the plane;
- and
- a shock absorber mounted on the strap positioning assembly between the upper end and the lower end for dampening vibration of the strap positioning assembly.
4 more elements
A combination strap assembly and baling press comprising:
- a base plate rotatably mounted below two baling chambers, said base plate defining a plane;
- a strap positioning assembly comprising a frame having a first actuator cylinder and a second actuator cylinder and a plurality of strap assemblies mounted thereon for providing straps around a pressed bale, said first and second actuator cylinders each comprising a housing having a closed end and a push rod movable out an open end;
- a return chute assembly comprising a plurality of return chutes for redirecting straps supplied by the strap assemblies;
- wherein the strap positioning assembly and the return chute assembly are positioned below the plane defined by the base plate so that the base plate may rotate over the strap positioning assembly and the return chute assembly;
- and
- wherein the first actuator cylinder is pivotably mounted to the frame and having its push rod co-axially disposed with the push rod of the second actuator cylinder, which has its housing pivotably mounted to a different section of the frame for moving the frame a distance between a stowed position and a used position when the first actuator cylinder is actuated and a second distance in which the frame is further from the stowed position when the second actuator cylinder is actuated.
3 more elements
A strap assembly mountable on a baling press having a base plate defining a plane, the strap assembly comprising:
- a strap positioning assembly comprising a frame having a plurality of strap assemblies mounted thereon for providing straps around the pressible materials;
- a return chute assembly having a plurality of return chutes for redirecting straps supplied by the plurality of strap assemblies;
- a first pneumatic cylinder and a second pneumatic cylinder, the first and second pneumatic cylinders each comprising a push rod in sliding communication with each other for moving the plurality of strap assemblies a first rotation bout a pivot point when the first pneumatic cylinder is actuated and a second rotation about the pivot point when the second pneumatic cylinder is actuated, the push rod of the first pneumatic cylinder is co-axially disposed with the push rod of the second pneumatic cylinder for moving the plurality of strap assemblies from a position substantially below the plane to a position above the plane;
- and
- a shock absorber for maintaining a pre-determined gap between the frame and the pressible materials.
2 more elements
A method for strapping compressible materials comprising:
- compressing a plurality of compressible materials against a plate, said plate defining a plane;
- exposing the compressed material for strapping;
- rotating a plurality of strap assemblies mounted on a frame from a position below the plane defined by the plate while the compressible materials are still undergoing a pressed cycle and stopping the rotating so that the frame is spaced from the pressible materials by a distance determined by a shock absorber;
- providing a plurality of straps around the compressed materials to strap the compressed materials;
- and
- lowering the plurality of strap assemblies to the position below the plane defined by the plate.
3 more elements
A method for strapping compressible materials comprising:
- compressing a plurality of compressible materials between a lower plate assembly and an upper plate assembly, said lower plate assembly defining a plane;
- exposing the compressible materials for strapping;
- raising a frame comprising a plurality of strap assemblies from a position below the plane defined by the lower plate assembly and contacting a shock absorber on the frame against the upper plate assembly or the compressible materials while the upper plate assembly moves downwardly to compress the compressible materials;
- providing a plurality of straps around the compressible materials to strap the compressible materials;
- and
- lowering the plurality of strap assemblies to the position below the plane defined by the lower plate assembly.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.