Hay handling apparatus

{
  "publication_number": "US3897880A",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A",
  "title": "Hay handling apparatus",
  "abstract": "A device for moving large bales of hay weighing 1,500 pounds or more is presented by the present invention. The device is particularly adapted for use with ''''pick up'''' trucks. A first support member is adapted to be pivotally coupled with the truck at the rear of the bed. This support member is normally positioned horizontally and a second generally L-shaped support member is rigidly coupled to the first member. The long leg of the L-shaped second member is also disposed horizontally and extends a length at least equal to the length of the bale to be moved. Secured to the first support member are first and second lance components positioned for piercing a bale of hay upon movement of the vehicle in the direction of the bale. Additional lance components are pivotally coupled to the end of the second support member. These additional lance components are normally biased into a bale-clearing position by a coil spring. The additional lance components may be moved, however, against the action of the spring by operation of an electric winch to pierce the bale in opposing relationship to the first-mentioned lance components. Continued operation of the winch pivots the support members and the bale onto the bed of the vehicle for transport.",
  "claims": [
    "1. Apparatus adapted to be releasably mounted on a utility vehicle characterized by a generally horizontal load-carrying member at the rear of the vehicle for moving a bale of hay onto said vehicle for transport by the vehicle, without interference with other uses of the vehicle when the apparatus is removed therefrom, said apparatus comprising: a first support member adapted to be pivotally coupled with the vehicle adjacent the rearward edge of said load-carrying member and movable about an axis from a first position generally perpendicular to said load-carrying member through an arc of approximately 90* to a second position generally parallel to said load-carrying member; first lance means coupled with said first support member and projecting laterally from the first member away from the rear of the vehicle for piercing said bale; a second support member rigidly coupled with said first member and projecting laterally from the first member in generally the same direction as said first lance means to extend over and along the longitudinal dimension of said bale; second lance means coupled with said second member and movable from a retracted position and a position generally parallel to and opposing said first lance means for piercing said bale, said retracted position being at least 90*removed from said bale piercing position; biasing means for urging said second lance means into said retracted position; and power means for moving said second lance means against the action of said biasing means and into said bale piercing position after said first lance means has been driven into the bale by movement of the vehicle in the direction of the bale, said power means also being adapted to pivot said first member about its axis from said first position to said second position whereby to move said bale onto said vehicle.",
    "2. The invention of claim 1, wherein said vehicle is of the truck type having a Flat bed and said first support member is adapted to be coupled with the vehicle at the rear of the latter for pivotal movement in and out of said bed.",
    "3. The invention of claim 2, wherein said first support member extends laterally of said bed and said first lance means comprises first and second spaced apart lance components.",
    "4. The invention of claim 3, wherein is included first and second elongated brackets coupled with said first support members for mounting said first and second lance components in depending relationship to said first support member.",
    "5. The invention of claim 3, wherein said second lance means is disposed in a vertical plane intermediate the vertical planes of said first and second lance components.",
    "6. The invention of claim 3, wherein said second lance means comprises third and fourth lance components disposed in closely spaced relationship relative to the spacing between said first and second lance components.",
    "7. The invention of claim 6, wherein the first and second lance means are disposed at different vertical elevations when in their bale-piercing positions.",
    "8. The invention of claim 3, where said first support member is supported on the bed of the vehicle when said first member is in said horizontal position, and wherein is included opposed horizontal stabilizers coupled with said first member and extending from the latter in opposite directions for engagement with said bed when said first member is supported on the bed.",
    "9. The invention of claim 3, wherein said power means comprises power winch means having a cable secured to said second lance means."
  ],
  "cpc": [
    "A01D 87/127"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "HUGHES FRANCIS DONALD"
  ],
  "filing_date": "1974-03-06",
  "publication_date": "1975-08-05",
  "grant_date": "1975-08-05",
  "priority_date": "1974-03-06",
  "application_number": "US-44850074-A",
  "family_id": "23780544",
  "citations": [
    "US3052366A",
    "US3057490A"
  ]
}