The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 29, 1998
Filed:
Oct. 18, 1996
Craig Pecenka, Newton, KS (US);
Howard J Ratzlaff, Hesston, KS (US);
Hay & Forage Industries, Hesston, KS (US);
Abstract
A tailgate-responsive clutch of a round baler tensions a drive belt of the baler for drivingly connecting the bale forming components to a towing vehicle's power source when the clutch is engaged. An actuator is coupled with the clutch to engage and disengage the clutch in response to swinging of the tailgate. Particularly, the actuator is disposed for operable connection with the tailgate when the tailgate is in the closed position, whereby the clutch is engaged, and for disconnection from the tailgate when the tailgate is out of the closed position, whereby the clutch is disengaged. The actuator includes an operating member shiftable by the tailgate to engage the clutch as the tailgate approaches the closed position, wherein the operating member has a resilient portion capable of engaging the clutch, yet also flex and yieldably maintain the clutch engaged when the tailgate is in the closed position.