Wrap material transfer device

Abstract

A transfer device includes an arm that has a first end and a second end. The transfer device includes a pivot positioned at the first end of the arm. The pivot is configured to be secured to a baling machine. The transfer device includes a lifting device positioned on the arm. The lifting device is configured to be attached to a bale wrap material supply roll.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A transfer device for a bale wrap material supply roll, the transfer device comprising:
 an arm having a first end and a second end;   a pivot positioned at the first end of the arm, wherein the pivot is configured to be secured to a baling machine; and   a lifting device positioned on the arm, wherein the lifting device is configured to be attached to a bale wrap material supply roll.   
     
     
         2 . The transfer device of  claim 1 , wherein the arm further comprises a first member and a second member, wherein the first member is pivotally attached to the second member. 
     
     
         3 . The transfer device of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second members are configured to nest together when positioned longitudinally adjacent one another. 
     
     
         4 . The transfer device of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the first and second arm members has a channel that is configured to receive the at least one of the first and second arm members. 
     
     
         5 . The transfer device of  claim 1 , wherein the lifting device includes at least one of a hoist and an actuator. 
     
     
         6 . The transfer device of  claim 1 , wherein the lifting device is secured to the arm to be slidable between the first and second ends. 
     
     
         7 . The transfer device of  claim 1 , further comprising a roll adapter connected to the lifting device, the roll adaptor being configured to be attached to a bale wrap material supply roll to stably support the bale wrap material supply roll in space. 
     
     
         8 . The transfer device of  claim 7 , wherein the roll adapter is extendable from the arm via the lifting device. 
     
     
         9 . The transfer device of  claim 1 , wherein the arm is telescoping. 
     
     
         10 . The transfer device of  claim 1  having a stored position and a plurality of operating positions, wherein, when in the plurality of operating positions, the transfer device is configured to lift and transfer the wrap material supply roll. 
     
     
         11 . The transfer device of  claim 10 , wherein, when the transfer device is in the stored position, the transfer device is at least partially positioned under a wrap material bay cover coupled to a baler frame, and the wrap material bay cover at least partially encloses a wrap material bay for storing wrap material, the wrap material bay cover being movable to selectively provide access to the wrap material bay. 
     
     
         12 . The transfer device of  claim 1 , wherein the pivot is a first pivot, wherein the transfer device further comprises a lifting actuator pivotally attached to the arm and to a second pivot, wherein the second pivot is configured to be attached to the baling machine, and wherein the lifting actuator is extendable to assist pivotal movement of the arm about the first pivot. 
     
     
         13 . The transfer device of  claim 12 , wherein the first pivot includes a horizontal pivot axis and a vertical pivot axis, wherein the horizontal pivot axis is generally transverse to the vertical pivot axis, and wherein the arm is movable about both the horizontal pivot axis and the vertical pivot axis, and wherein the second pivot includes a second horizontal pivot axis and a second vertical pivot axis, wherein the second horizontal pivot axis is generally transverse to the second vertical pivot axis, and wherein the lifting actuator is movable about both the second horizontal pivot axis and the second vertical pivot axis. 
     
     
         14 . The transfer device of  claim 1 , wherein the pivot is installed on a baling machine, the baling machine having a frame, a baling chamber for creating a bale, and a wrap material bay for storing wrap material to be fed into the baling chamber. 
     
     
         15 . The transfer device of  claim 1  installed in the wrap material bay. 
     
     
         16 . A baling machine comprising:
 a frame;   a baling chamber for creating a bale;   a wrap material bay for storing wrap material to be fed into the baling chamber;   a bale wrap material transfer device comprising:
 an arm having a first end and a second end; 
 a pivot positioned at the first end of the arm, wherein the pivot is secured to the frame of the baling machine; and 
 a lifting device positioned on the arm, wherein the lifting device is configured to be attached to a bale wrap material supply roll; 
   wherein the transfer device is configured to selectively lift, lower, and transfer a bale wrap material supply roll.   
     
     
         17 . The baling machine of  claim 16 , wherein the bale wrap material transfer device is installed in the wrap material bay. 
     
     
         18 . The baling machine of  claim 16 , wherein the bale wrap material transfer device has an arm pivotally connected to the frame, and wherein the lifting device is attached to the arm. 
     
     
         19 . The baling machine of  claim 16 , wherein the arm further comprises a first member and a second member, wherein the first member is hingedly attached to the second member. 
     
     
         20 . The baling machine of  claim 16 , wherein the arm of the bale wrap material transfer device is a first arm, wherein the bale wrap material transfer device includes a second arm, wherein the first and second arms are collapsible. 
     
     
         21 . A method of transferring a bale wrap material roll comprising:
 extending an arm of a bale wrap material transfer device from a baler;   lowering a portion of the bale wrap material transfer device;   attaching a lifting device of the bale wrap material transfer device to a bale wrap material supply roll;   raising a portion of the bale wrap material transfer device; and   positioning bale wrap material supply roll on the baler for use.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the bale wrap material transfer device includes:
 an arm having a first end and a second end;   a pivot positioned at the first end of the arm, wherein the pivot is secured to the frame of the baler, and wherein the lifting device is positioned on the arm.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the bale wrap material transfer device is installed in a wrap material bay. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising lowering the bale wrap material supply from the baler using the bale wrap material transfer device.