US3762312A

US3762312A - Refuse baler

Info

Publication number: US3762312A
Application number: US00204888A
Authority: US
Inventors: J Guhl
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-12-06
Filing date: 1971-12-06
Publication date: 1973-10-02
Anticipated expiration: 1990-10-02

Abstract

A refuse baler for solid waste material normally having an upright configuration with a vertically elongated support; an open top baling chamber; a compressor member mounted on the support for vertical reciprocation into the chamber; and power driven means, including a motor driven screw journaled at its upper end in the support, and having a threaded drive to the compressor member whereby the power driving structure is positioned compactly within the vertical confines of the support with the aforementioned screw acting in compression during the compression stroke of the compressor member. The baler also has controls for automatically determining and providing uniform bale size and compaction.

Description

1 1 REFUSE BALER {75] Inventor: Jay R. Guhl, San Leandro, Calif.

[73] Assignee: Dean Park, San Leandro, Calif. a

part interest [22] Filed: Dec. 6, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 204,888

[52] U.S. C1 100/52, 100/3, 100/53, 100/215,100/219,100/245, 100/255, 100/256, 100/289, 100/295 929,960 8/1909 Low [00/288 X 1,675,669 7/1928 Snyder... 100 239 3,203,343 8/1965 Myers 100/214 x 3,204,550 9/1965 Swiderski et a1 100/52 3,274,922 9/1966 Hefner 100 52 3,353,478 11/1967 Hopkins 100 53 x 3,537,390 11/1970 Hinkel et a1. 100/52 X 3,643,589 2/1972 Carter 1 100/52 X 508,191 11/1893 Thomas 100/214 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 277,477 9/1930 Italy 100/255 145,861 3/1952 Australia 100/289 Primary Examiner-Billy J. Wilhite Attorney-Manfred M. Warren ct a1.

[57] ABSTRACT A refuse baler for solid waste material normally having an upright configuration with a verticaIIy elongated support, an open top baling chamber; a compressor member mounted on the support for vertical reciprocation into the chambcr;and power driven means, including a motor driven screw journaled at its upper end in the support, and having a threaded drive to the compressor member whereby the power driving structure is positioned compact1y within thc vertica] confines of the support with the aforementioned screw acting in compression during the compression stroke of the compressor member. The baIer also has controIs for automatically determining and providing uniform bale size and compaction.

14 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures Pmmsmm'a i 3.762.312

SHEET 10F 6 Fig.3

INVENTOR.

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INVENTOR.

Jay R. Guhl BY (damn/xv, u/bin), 5m

PATENTED 21973 sum 5 or 6 l I r'f h Fig. 9

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INVENTOR.

Y Jay R. Guhl Jail/9M lgulrl 'u lbw/NI Chun M9, Attorney-b Hummer 2 ms 1 3,762,312 SHEET 8 BF 6 INVENTOR.

\ w a x a 3 Jay R. Guhl BY Mam, e u/51am W 5B P/Li W Attorneys REFUSE BALER The invention relates to apparatus for baling compactable solid material.

The handling and disposal of solid waste material has been a major problem for many industries, office buildings, department and grocery stores, restaurants, hospitals and other institutions. These waste materials normally present a huge volume of low weight. Compaction of such material into convenient size bales at the institution generating the waste material thus presents a considerable saving in space at the institution and a substantial saving in cost to the company charged with removal. Final disposal by ground burial or the like is similarly facilitated by the compaction of the waste material into convenient size bales.

An object of the present invention is to provide a refuse baler of the character described which is designed for use at the point of origination of the refuse and which is safe, automatic, convenient and foolproof in its operation, enabling its use by unskilled labor, and which will present the finished, compacted bales for easy tying-out and removal.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a baler of the character above which is compact in size yet affording a high capacity for baling waste material.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a baler of the character described which is ruggedly constructed to withstand the rigorous useto which it is subjected, and to provide dependable, lowmaintenance, long-life service.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a baler of the character above which may be readily adjusted to deliver different size bales of uniform compaction.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which of the foregoing will be set forth in the following description of the preferred form of the invention which is illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification. It is to be understood, however, that variations in the showing made by the said drawings and description may be adopted within the scope of the invention as set forth in the Claims.

Referring to said drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a refuse baler constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the baler;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the baler;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the baler taken substantially on the plane of line 44 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the baler taken substantially on the plane of line 55 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the baler taken substantially on the plane of line 6-6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevation of a portion of the baler showing the manual controls; 7

FIG. 8 is an enlarged front elevation of a portion of the baler indicated by line 8-8 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation of the structure shown in FIG. 8, as suggested by the line 9-9 of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic wiring diagram of the power driven means and control circuit therefor.

The baler of the present invention comprises briefly an elongated support 11, see FIGS. 4, 5 and 6; a baling chamber 12 carried by the support 11 for receipt of material to be baled; a compressor member 13 mounted for longitudinal reciprocation on support 11 and for movement into chamber 12 for compression of material therein; and power driven means 14 mounted adjacent to and extending longitudinally of support 11 and connected to the support and compressor member for driving the latter longitudinally of the support.

As a feature of the present construction, support 11 is formed with an elongated side plate 17 and a pair of transversely spaced, confronting and longitudinally extending

channel portions

18 and 19 which define the opposite longitudinally extending side edges of the support; and there is telescopically mounted within the enclosure thus formed a slide member 21 which carries the compressor member 13. Slide 21 is here formed with a longitudinally extending side plate 22 which is positioned in sliding relation with support plate 17, and with transversely spaced

channel portions

23 and 24 which are slidably engaged within

channels

18 and 19. The support and slide are thus constructed to carry the high loading to which they are subjected, while also providing the longitudinal reciprocation of the slide and compressor member. The latter is here constructed of a series of side-by-side channels 26 which are secured, as by welding, to a triangular boxlike support 27 which is in turn secured at its base, as by welding, to the upper end 28 of slide 21 so as to cantilever the compressor member laterally from the upper end of the slide. I

The power driven means 14 here includes a motor driven screw 31 extending substantially parallel to the.

support and slide; a thrust bearing 32 supporting an end of screw 31; and a nut 33 carried by screw 31 and connected to compressor member 13 whereby the driving force on the compressor member in its material compressing stroke is carried by the portion of the screw between bearing 32 and nut 33 with such screw portion acting in compression. As will be best seen from FIGS. 5 and 6, nut 33 is provided with a flange 36 which is mounted between a pair of spaced supporting

plates

37 and 38 secured to and projecting laterally from slide 21.

Preferably, the baler is constructed with a normally upright configuration, that is, with the support and slide arranged vertically and with chamber 12 having an open top 39 for passage of compressor member 13 downwardly therethrough in its compression stroke and in the direction of a closed bottom 41 for the chamber. As here shown, this bottom is ruggedly constructed of a series of inverted side-by-side channels 42 secured, as by welding, on the top of a base plate 43 in turn supported on a circumferentially extending base channel 44, see FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 5. In the preferred vertical configuration of the baler, as here illustrated, thrust bearing 32 is positioned adjacent the top of support 11, the top of the bearing being here carried by a horizontally extending bracket 46 secured to theupper end 47 of the support. A gear housing 48 mounted on a bottom base plate 49 supports the lower end of screw 31; and an electric motor 51 is mounted on plate 49 and has its drive shaft 52 connected to the gear housing, see FIG. 5.

The foregoing arrangement of the parallel support and drive means enables the production of a baler having a low silhouette, the generation of very high forces which are carried in compression by a section of the lead screw bearing anut all constructed for this pur- I pose, and the substantially complete removal of required support at the lower end of the shaft connected to the gear housing. In the present construction, it is desirable to hold the compressor member against the completed, compacted bale until the latter is tied out and removed from the baling chamber. For this purpose, there is provided a motor shaft 52 a magnetically operated brake 53 which is energized with the motor for breaking rotation of shaft 52 in the de-energized condition of the motor. As will be best seen from FIG. 6, the brake includes a brake shoe 54 mounted on one end lever 56 having a weight 57 connected thereto for normally urging shoe 54 against shaft 52. A solenoid 58 connected to lever 56 by link 59 acts to displace shoe 54 out of engagement with shaft 52 when motor 51 is energized.

Admission of refuse to be baled to the baling chamber is here effected through a chute 61, see FIG. 5, which overlies chamber 12 and has a front opening 62 for entry of material therein for passage into chamber 12. Opening 62 is normally closed by a door 63 hinged at its base 64 to swing outwardly to an open position. A handle and latch mechanism 66 is carried by the door for manual opening and closing, and latching in closed position. The

opposite sides

60 and 65 of a surrounding cabinet define the opposite sides of the chute, and the latter is enclosed at its top by a bonnet 75. Compressor member 13 in its uppermost position is located at the top side of chute 61 and within bonnet 75. The rear side of the chute is defined by the support and

slide structure

11, 21 above described.

As a feature of the present invention, safety means, here in the form of switch 67, is actuated by the door for controlling the energizing of motor 51, requiring that the door be in closed, latched position before motor 51 may be energized. As will be seen from FIGS. 5, 8 and 9, an actuating rod 68 projects forwardly from switch 67 through a bearing block 69 for engagement of its forwardly projecting end 70 with door 63 for displacement thereby against the resistance of spring 71 mounted in compression between block 69 and a spring rest carried adjacent the outer end 70 of the rod. As will be bestseen in FIGS. 8 and 9, engagement of the outer end 70 of rod 68 by door 63 is effected by a laterally projecting lug 72 carried bythe door. Reference is made to FIG. and to later description thereof for electrical connection between switch 67 and motor 51.

The baling chamber is here formed in part by a pair of forwardly extending and front closing sides 73 and 74 which are hinged at their rear extremities upon vertically extending hinge pins 76 and 77 providing vertical pivotal axes for opening of chamber 12 and removal of a compressed bale therefrom.

The balance of the baling chamber is defined at its rear by the combination support and

slide structure

11, 21 and at its base by the inverted channels 42 and base plate 43 above described. A stiffener plate 81 is here secured, as by welding, across the inturned flanges of

channels

18 and 19 to define a rear wall over the lower portion of the baling chamber. As will be seen from FIG. 4, each of the

members

73, 74 is formed to provide integral side and front portions with the confronting

front edges

82 and 83 moving into abutment in closed position and being secured therein by a manually operated, over-center latch mechanism 84. Safety means, here in the form of switch 87, FIGS. 8 and 9, is actuated by the doors for controlling the energizing of motor 51, requiring that the doors be in their closed,

latched position as a prerequisite to energizing motor 51. As here shown, a vertically extending actuating rod 88 for switch 87 extends donwardly therefrom through bearing block 69 for engagement of its lower end 89 with a cam 91 carried on the upper surface of door member 74. Displacementof rod 88 to actuate switch 87 is effected against the resistance of spring 92 mounted in compression between block 69 and a spring rest 93 carried on shaft 88. Reference is made to the schematic diagram, FIG. 10, and description thereof for the electrical connection of switch 87 to motor 51.

As a feature of the present invention, bales of various heights may be produced by selectively elevating the bottom 41 of the baling chamber. This may be conveniently done by the insertion in the baling chamber of a box-like structure 96, shown in phantom line in FIG. 5. This structure is simply mounted in the chamber to rest on channels 42 and is provided with a series of similar inverted channels 97 at its top side to form the alternate bottom for the baling chamber. Similar structures 96 of different heights are preferably provided to afford bale sizes to suit the'needs of the user.

In accordance with the present invention, the compressor member remains in its downward bale compressing position on completion of formation of a full size bale in the baling chamber.

Doors

73 and 74 may then be opened, baling wire placed around the bale and secured, and the bale removed from the chamber. The inverted channels 26 of the compressor member, and similarly shaped channels 42 at the base of the compression chamber, provide

grooves

98 and 99 between adjacent channel members through which baling wire may be conveniently threaded for surrounding and securing the bale.

As a feature of the present invention, the bale load sensing means 101, see motor overload switch 101 in FIG. 10, is provided for sensing the compaction of material in the baling chamber 12 so that bales of uniform high compaction are obtained. Another function of this sensing means is to initiate the return stroke of the compressor member 13 so that material may be periodically introduced into the chamber and compacted for progressive building up of the bale size as the refuse material is accumulated. In accordance with the present invention, the bale load sensing means is associated with electric motor 51 and senses a predetermined loading of the motor. Various electric load sensing means, such as current sensing, may be used. In the present case, motor 51 is equipped with a centrifugally operated overload switch 101 which closes on predetermined slowing down of the motor.

As another feature of the present invention, a bale size sensing means 102 is provided and arranged to cofunction with load sensing means 101 for interrupting the normal initiation of the return stroke of the compressor member when one or more compactions of material in the baling chamber have resulted in the building up of a predetermined size bale. This bale size sensing means comprises an electric switch mounted for actuation upon movement of the compressor member through a predetermined distance in its forward (downward) stroke, see FIGS. 5, 6 and10. In addition to switch 102, an upper limit switch 103 and a bottom limit switch 104 are positioned in vertically spaced rement of the compressor member in its uppermost position by an arm 106 on the carriage which engages and displaces actuating arm 107 for switch 103. Upon downward movement of the carriage from its starting position, switch 103 will return to closed position. Bale size switch 102 is a single-pole, double-throw switch and is provided with a bell crank actuator 108 which is engaged by arm 107 on the carriage to throw the switch to one position on downward passage of the carriage past actuator 108, and to throw switch 102 to its other position upon return upward travel of arm 109. Bottom limit switch 104 is a single-pole, double-throw switch provided with actuator arm 111 which is engaged and displayed by a depending arm 112 in the lowermost position of the carriage. Normally, this displacement is temporary, however, for a short delay period before initiating the return upward movement of the .compres-- sor member, following which switch 104 returns to its first position.

A control cabinet 116 is mounted interiorly of housing 117 which encloses the motor drive mechanism and has manually engageable controls which extend through wall 118 of the housing for access at the exterior side thereof, see FIG. 7. These controls include a down control switch 121, an up control switch 122, and an off control switch 123, see FIGS. 7 and 10. Stop switch 123 is operated by a push button 125. Down switch 121 comprises two switch sections, normally closed section 166 and normally open section 167. Up control switch 122 likewise comprises a normally closed section 157 and a normally open section 158. A cam operator (not shown) is connected to the two sections of each of these up and down switches for reciprocating the individual sections to theiropen and closed positions upon rotation ofthe cam. The two cams for the two switches are mounted on a common shaft 160 which projects exteriorly of wall 118, see FIG. 7, and is connected to an operating handle 164. The latter, as will be seen in FIG. 7, has a neutral vertical position wherein the switch contacts are positioned, as illustrated in FIG. 10. Handle 164 is rotated in a clockwise direction to effect the down mode of operation in which position switch 166 is opened, switch 167 closed and switches 157 and 158 closed and opened, as illustrated. Handle 164 is swung counter-clockwise to effect the up mode of operation in which position switches 166 and 167 will be closed and opened, as illustrated, and switches 157 and 158 will be opened and closed, respectively. Handle 164 is returned to its neutral vertical position by a spring bias (not shown). Both the up and down modes are initiated by a momentary manual rotation of switch handle 164. The lock-in" circuits provide a continuation of the operating mode after release of the handle 164 for return to its neutral vertical position.

With further reference to FIG. 10, the circuitry also includes time delay 126; slave relay 127; overload circuit breaker 128; magnetic starter solenoid 129; magnetic starter solenoid 130; a bank of four magnetic starter switches 131, 132, 133 and 134, and three

auxiliary switches

136, 137 and 138, all activated by solenoid 129; and bank of four starter switches 141, 142, 143 and 144, and three

auxiliary switches

146, 147 and 148, all energized by solenoid 130; and

power lines

151 and 152.

Tracing of the circuit, current flows from line 151 through chute door switch 67 which must be closed as a prerequisite to operation of the baler. From switch 67, current flows to normally closed, manually operated stop switch 123. Accordingly, this switch may be manually engaged and opened at any time to interrupt power flow and shut off the machine in any position at any time in the cycle. From switch 123, current is supplied to switch

sections

157 and 166 of

switches

122 and 121, and contact 153 of bale size switch 102. Current is fed through section 157 to bale chamber switch 87 which must be closed for current to continue to the movable contact 161 of bottom limit switch 104. Contact 161 is normally engaged with switch contact 162 from which current flows to the normally open contact 163 of auxiliary switch 137 which functions as a lockin circuit for the magnetic starter. The normally closed switch section 166 of down switch 121 feeds current to the normally open section 158 of switch 122 and also the normally closed upper limit switch 103.

Operation of the machine may be initiated by effecting a momentary closing of a normally open section 167 of down control switch 121 which passes current to moving contact of switch 137, through normally closed auxiliary switch 146, slave relay 127, solenoid 129, overload circuit breaker 128 to the return side 152 of the power line. Energizing of solenoid 129 closes switches 131, 132, 133, 134,136 and 137, and opens switch 138 so as to effect the following forward drive connections to electric motor 51: power is supplied to motor terminals 168 and 169,

motor terminals

171 and 172 are tied together, and

motor terminals

173 and 174 are tied together. The motor is now operating in the down cycle of the machine, and the operation will proceed automatically in the following enumerated situations. 4

If there is very little or no material in the baling chamber, the compressor member will travel downwardly to engage'and throw the bottom limit switch which cuts off the current to the lock-in circuit mentioned above and shuts off the motor. As above noted, the bottom limit switch is a double-throw switch wherein the moving contact is thrown into engagement with contact 171 to complete the circuit to time delay relay 126. In the preferred type of electric motor here used, the motor must come to a complete stop before the reversing cycle can be initiated. After a few seconds delay, current is fed through bale size switch 153, switch 173 of time delay relay 126 to solenoid producing a momentary contact to lock-in the reversing cycle. Current is supplied to this circuit through the upper limit switch 103. Reverse operation of motor 151 is effected by the following connections: power is supplied to terminals 168 and 169,

terminals

171 and 174 are tied together, and

terminals

173 and 172 are tied together.

After energizing the reversing circuit for the motor, the compression member will move to its top position tripping upper limit switch 103 and cutting off current to the motor. The baler is manually operated in that the operator, following each insertion of refuse, momentarily closes the down switch 167 to initiate the down stroke of the compressor member. The remainder of the operation of the apparatus is automatic so that the operator may walk away after pushing switch 167 leaving the apparatus unattended.

As refuse is added and compacted, the compressor member will reach maximum force but will not contact the bottom limit switch (here characterized as second situation). In such case, the operation is the same as above explained until maximum compaction is reached, when the motor goes into an overload condition causing the closing of switch contacts 101. Closing of contacts 101 energizes slave relay 127 and breaks the lock-in circuit of solenoid 129 turning off the motor. With both magnetic starters open and upper limit switch 103 in normally closed position, current flows through upper limit switch 103 to closed contact 138 and to time delay relay which activates the up cycle after a brief pause of a few seconds, as described above. Consequently, the machine will function automatically after each manual operation to compress the refuse in the chamber and to return the compressor member to starting position in both the first and second situations.

When the bale has built up to a predetermined size, a third situation obtains. The cycle of operation is the same as explained above until maximum pressure is reached and the motor shuts off, except that the return cycle is not activated because the bale size switch 102 has not been tripped and, hence, blocks the flow of current to time delay relay 126. The compressor member thus remains in its down position against the top of the finished bale. In what may be characterized as the fourth situation, the bale chamber is opened and the bale is tied out. This is done while the compressor member is supplying its maximum pressure to the top of the bale. Up control switch 158 is then manually actvated to return the compressor member to its up position when the bale may be removed from the chamber. Switch 158 supplies the current normally supplied by time delay relay 126.

I claim:

1. A baler comprising:

an elongated support;

a baler chamber carried by said support for receipt of material to be baled;

a compressor member mounted for longitudinal reciprocation on said support and for movement into said chamber for compressing material therein;

a motor driven screw extending substantially parallel to said support;

a thrust bearing mounted on said support and supporting one end of said screw; and

a nut threadably carried by said screw and connected to said compressor member, whereby the driving force in said compressor member in its material compressing stroke is carried by the portion of said screw between said bearing and nut with said screw portion acting in compression.

2. A baler as defined in claim 1, said chamber having an open top and said support being vertically disposed for vertical reciprocation of said compressor member, said bearing being positioned adjacent the top of said support;

a gear housing mounted adjacent the bottom of said support and connected to and supporting the lower end of said screw; and

a motor connected to said gear housing.

3. A baler as defined in claim 2, said motor being electrically energized and having a shaft connected to said gear housing; and

a magnetically operated brake connected to said shaft and energized with said motor for braking rotation of said shaft in the de-energized condition of said motor.

4. A baler as defined in claim 1, said chamber having an open top and said support being vertically disposed for vertical reciprocation of said compressor member, said bearing being positioned adjacent the top of said support;

a chute overlying said chamber and having an opening for entry of material to be baled into said chute for passage into said chamber;

a door closing said opening; and

said compression member being mounted for movement between an elevated position above said chute and a lowered position in said chamber.

5. A baler as defined in claim 4,

a motor connected for driving said screw; and

safety means actuated by said door for controlling the energizing of said motor.

6. A baler as defined in claim 5,

a pair of forwardly extending and front closing sides hinged to said support about parallel vertical axes for opening of said chamber and removal of a compressed bale therefrom; and

safety means actuated by said front closing sides for controlling the energizing of said motor.

7. A baler as defined in claim 4, and

a pair of forwardly extending and front closing sides hinged to said support about parallel vertical axes for opening of said chamber and removal of a compressed bale therefrom.

8. A baler as defined in claim 7, said support providing a bottom wall for said chamber; and

said compressor member and said bottom wall being formed with a plurality of grooves dimensioned for threading therethrough a baling wire in surrounding relation to the compressed material in said baling chamber.

9. A baler as defined in claim 7, said support providing a bottom wall for said chamber; and

a bale size determining member selectively mounted in said chamber and providing a relatively elevated bottom therefor.

10. A baler as defined in claim 1:

said support having a side providing a wall of said chamber and a pair of transversely spaced, confronting, and longitudinally extending channel portions thereon; and

a slide having a wall substantially coextensive with said side and juxtaposed thereto and transversely spaced channel portions telescopically mounted within said first named channel portions for longitudinal reciprocation and being connected to said compressor member.

11. A baler providing a baling chamber for receipt of material to be baled;

a compressor member mounted for reciprocation said chamber;

electric motive means for driving said compressor member through a forward material compression stroke and a return stroke;

a first limit switch mounted for actuation at the end of said return stroke and being connected to said motive means to stop said compressor member at said return stroke end;

a second limit switch mounted for actuation at the end of said forward stroke and being connected to said motive means to initiate said return stroke;

a bale size switch mounted for actuation at a predetermined position of said forward stroke;

a bale load sensing switch sensing the compaction of material in said chamber and being actuated upon predetermined material compaction; and

said bale size switch and said load sensing switch being connected to said motive means in a circuit providing:

a. termination of said forward stroke on maximum material compaction, and initiation of said return stroke when said bale size switch is actuated; and

b. termination of said forward stroke on maximum material compaction and holding said compressor member against the compacted material when said bale size switch has not been actuated.

12. A baler as defined in claim 11:

said chamber having a first wall mounted in opposed relation to said compressor member for compression of material therebetween and at least one movable wall providing access to said compacted material; and

said compressor member and first wall being formed for placement of tie means in encircling relation around said compacted material.

13. A baler as defined in claim 12:

and a brake energized under condition (b) for holding said compressor member in position of maximum material compaction.

14. A baler as defined in claim 13:

and manually operable means for de-energizing said brake and initiating said return stroke.

UNITED STATES .PATE OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF-fiOR-RECTION Patent No. 52 31; v Dated october 2 1973 Ini/entofls) JAY R. GUHL It is certified that error appears in theaboveide ntified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

a Column 3, line 6, change "a motor" to at motor--.

Column 5, line l4, change "displayed" to --displaced-- Column 6 line 56 after "move" add up--.

Column 7, line30, change "vated" to uated- Column 8, line 33, change "a" to '--of-'--.

Signed and sealed this 6th day of August 197A.

(SEAL) Attest:

McCOY M. GIBSON, JR. C. MARSHALL DANN, I Attesting Officer 7 Commissioner of Patents FORM PO-1050 (10-69) 7 USCOMWDC 6037M, I U.5. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 2 l9! 0-355-33

Claims

1. A baler comprising: an elongated support; a baler chamber carried by said support for receipt of material to be baled; a compressor member mounted for longitudinal reciprocation on said support and for movement into said chamber for compressing material therein; a motor driven screw extending substantially parallel to said support; a thrust bearing mounted on said support and supporting one end of said screw; and a nut threadably carried by said screw and connected to said compressor member, whereby the driving force in said compressor member in its material compressing stroke is carried by the portion of said screw between said bearing and nut with said screw portion acting in compression.

2. A baler as defined in claim 1, said chamber having an open top and said support being vertically disposed for vertical reciprocation of said compressor member, said bearing being positioned adjacent the top of said support; a gear housing mounted adjacent the bottom of said support and connected to and supporting the lower end of said screw; and a motor connected to said gear housing.

3. A baler as defined in claim 2, said motor being electrically energized and having a shaft connected to said gear housing; and a magnetically operated brake connected to said shaft and energized with said motor for braking rotation of said shaft in the de-energized condition of said motor.

4. A baler as defined in claim 1, said chamber having an open top and said support being vertically disposed for vertical reciprocation of said compressor member, said bearing being positioned adjacent the top of said support; a chute overlying said chamber and having an opening for entry of material to be baled into said chute for passage into said chamber; a door closing said opening; and said compression member being mounted for movement between an elevated position above said chute and a lowered position in said chamber.

5. A baler as defined in claim 4, a motor connected for driving said screw; and safety means actuated by said door for controlling the energizing of said motor.

6. A baler as defined in claim 5, a pair of forwardly extending and front closing sides hinged to said support about parallel vertical axes for opening of said chamber and removal of a compressed bale therefrom; and safety means actuated by said front closing sides for controlling the energizing of said motor.

7. A baler as defined in claim 4, and a pair of forwardly extending and front closing sides hinged to said support about parallel vertical axes for opening of said chamber and removal of a compressed bale therefrom.

8. A baler as defined in claim 7, said support providing a bottom wall for said chamber; and said compressor member and said bottom wall being formed with a plurality of grooves dimensioned for threading therethrough a baling wire in surrounding relation to the compressed material in said baling chamber.

9. A baler as defined in claim 7, said support providing a bottom wall for said chamber; and a bale size determining member selectively mounted in said chamber and providing a relatively elevated bottom therefor.

10. A baler as defined in claim 1: said support having a side providing a wall of said chamber and a pair of transversely spaced, confronting, and longitudinally extending channel portions thereon; and a slide having a wall substantially coextensive with said side and juxtaposed thereto and transversely spaced channel portions telescopically mounted within said first named channel portions for longitudinal reciprocation and being connected to said compressor member.

11. A baler providing a baling chamber for receipt of material to be baled; a compressor member mounted for reciprocation in said chamber; electric motive means for driving said compressor member through a forward material compression stroke and a return stroke; a first limit switch mounted for actuation at the end of said return stroke and being connected to said motive means to stop said compressor member at said return stroke end; a second limit switch mounted for actuation at the end of said forward stroke and being connected to said motive means to initiate said return stroke; a bale size switch mounted for actuation at a predetermined position of said forward stroke; a bale load sensing switch sensing the compaction of material in said chamber and being actuated upon predetermined material compaction; and said bale size switch and said load sensing switch being connected to said motive means in a circuit providing: a. termination of said forward stroke on maximum material compaction, and initiation of said return stroke when said bale size switch is actuated; and b. termination of said forward stroke on maximum material compaction and holding said compressor member against the compacted material when said bale size switch has not been actuated.

12. A baler as defined in claim 11: said chamber having a first wall mounted in opposed relation to said compressor member for compression of material therebetween and at least one movable wall providing access to said compacted material; and said compressor member and first wall being formed for placement of tie means in encircling relation around said compacted material.

13. A baler as defined in claim 12: and a brake energized under condition (b) for holding said compressor member in position of maximum material compaction.

14. A baler as defined in claim 13: and manually operable means for de-energizing said brake and initiating said return stroke.