Abstract: A bale binding mechanism is configured to form crop material into a bale. The bale binding mechanism includes a baling needle and a twine tensioner. A baler chassis presents a baling chamber in which the bale is formed. The baling needle is shiftable up and down relative to the baling chamber, with the needle being shiftable to advance twine upwardly along an end of the bale. The twine tensioner is configured to maintain tension on a tensioned twine section extending between the twine tensioner and the needle, with the tensioned twine section defining a twine feed axis. The twine tensioner includes a tension device that restricts upward advancement of the tensioned twine section. The twine tensioner also includes a shiftable guide element. The guide element is shiftable into and out of a twine feed position associated with upward advancement of the tensioned twine section, with the guide element operable to define an offset twine section offset from the twine feed axis in the twine feed position.

Abstract: A tying mechanism comprising a bill hook, twine holding device for holding strands of twines, a cutting arm adapted for cutting twines between the bill hook and the twine holding device while moving between a rest position and an extended position, a drive adapted to make the bill hook perform at least a first full rotation and a second full rotation and to move the cutting arm from the rest position to the extended position and back during a full operation cycle to form respectively a first and a second consecutive knot wherein the tying mechanism further comprises a tension regulating mechanism able to provide and regulate the tension exerted to the twine holding device during the operation of the tying mechanism.

Abstract: A tying mechanism comprising a bill hook, twine holding device for holding strands of twines, a cutting arm adapted for cutting twines between the bill hook and the twine holding device whilst moving between a rest position and an extended position, a drive adapted to make the bill hook perform at least a first full rotation and a second full rotation and to move the cutting arm from the rest position to the extended position and back during a full operation cycle to form respectively a first and a second consecutive knot wherein the tying mechanism further comprises a tension regulating mechanism able to provide and regulate the tension exerted to the twine holding device during the operation of the tying mechanism.

Abstract: A knotter arrangement of a large square baler includes a plurality of knotter assemblies with each assembly including a knotter gear having a hub received on, and coupled for rotation with, a knotter drive shaft. Each assembly further includes a knotter frame including an upper end defined by a sleeve received on the gear hub. Mounted for rotation within four bores provided in the knotter frame are a worm gear spindle, a twine disk spindle, a billhook spindle and a knife arm shaft.

Abstract: A twine knotter (10) for bale compactors comprises a knotting frame (11) with a knotting hook (9), supported rotatably on a knotting hook shaft (40), which forms a swivel pin in the knotting frame (11); with a hook part (41), projecting laterally from the knotting hook shaft (40), which hook part has a continuous through-opening (52) with an approximately rectangular cross section, this opening extending in the plane formed by the knotting hook shaft (40) and the hook part (41), the side boundaries of the opening being formed by cheeks (63, 64). A knotting tongue (44) is supported on the knotting hook (9) with freedom to pivot around a pivot pin (43), which is perpendicular to the plane formed by the knotting hook shaft (40) and the hook part (41) and which passes transversely through cooperating bores (65, 66, 67) in the cheeks (63, 64) and the knotting tongue (44).

Abstract: Although several knot tying devices have been conceived to aid in the tying of fish hooks, all are generally complex, cumbersome, difficult to use, or ineffective. By utilizing a pistol grip device with front and rear stanchions and a hook mounting pad, one can easily and quickly tie a perfect fishing knot every time. The fishing line is inserted through the eye of the hook, around the stanchions, is looped twice around itself at the intersection between the stanchions and is simply pulled to set the hook while keeping the hook safely in the hook mounting pad to prevent accidental hooking of the person tying the knot.

Abstract: A cam member for knotters has a cam section, on which a cam surface is formed, and a flange section. The cam surface is engaged by a cam follower carried on the movable jaw of the knotter billhook. Fasteners such as bolts extend through the flange section of the cam member into the main frame of the knotter to detachably fasten the cam member to the main frame.

Abstract: A knotting device for a baling machine has a pivotal knotting element having a lower jaw and an upper jaw that are pivoted together and have separable tips. The lower jaw has a lower side formed with a pair of parallel and downwardly projecting ridges defining a downwardly open groove extending to the respective tip. Thus when a loop of a tie is tight around the jaws it spans this groove. It also has a pair of lateral sides each formed with a longitudinal ridge of cross section decreasing toward the respective tip. A stripping element is displaceable along the sides of the lower jaw by an appropriate actuator to push a loop from the jaws. Once the loop is formed and the two strands are gripped between the upper and lower jaws it will be stripped accurately from the knotter no matter how small it is, since it will only engage at the ridges.

Abstract: A knotter for a baling machine has a pivotal lower jaw and an upper jaw pivotal on the upper jaw about a knotter axis extending transverse to the jaws. The upper jaw has a tip remote from the axis, a lower edge lying between the tip and the axis and forming with the lower jaw a tie-holding opening, a first lateral flank directed in one axial direction and lying mainly in a plane perpendicular to the axis, and a second lateral flank directed in the opposite axial direction and formed with a groove open in the opposite direction and terminating at the lower side at the opening. The upper jaw has at its tip a downwardly extending point engageable with the lower jaw. In addition it is formed with an upwardly open groove in which the tip is receivable. Since the two tie ends lie recessed in the groove and the opposite side of the upper jaw is smooth, the tie can slide off the upper jaw relatively easily. Even relatively thick or stiff ties can be slipped off the knotter with ease.

Abstract: A knotter comprising a billhook operable to form a knot in flexible material such as twine and being rotatable through first and second cycles during the knot tying operation, the billhook having jaws which can be opened or closed. Means are provided which are contactable by the billhook during both the first and second cycles of rotation thereof but which are operable to maintain the billhook jaws closed during the first cycle and to open and close the billhook jaws during the second cycle. The means may be in the form of a cam and releasable locking means may be provided to lock the cam against rotation during portions of the first and second cycles of billhook rotation.

Abstract: A knotter apparatus is improved by providing a frame supporting first and second rotatable shafts. A plurality of flanges are mounted on the first shaft and a billhook is angularly mounted on the second shaft. A plurality of twine holder fingers are pivotally supported by the frame and resiliently urged relative to the flanges. The second shaft is operable for intermittently driving the first shaft.

Abstract: An automatic tying machine suitable for use in connection with an automatic broccoli bunching machine is illustrated. The tying machine comprises, in addition to the string carrying needle and knotter bill mechanism of the prior art machines, a placer foot that is separate from the needle, and a string retaining mechanism having two fingers, so that each string end of the loop may be independently held.

Abstract: An improved knotter primarily for use with a crop baling machine is disclosed. As is known in the art, a quantity of compacted crop material is encircled with a length of twine, or similar binding material, and a knot is tied in primary and secondary portions thereof to produce a discrete package of material. The improved knotter includes a rotatable twine holder for gripping the primary and secondary portions of twine and holding them in a side-by-side relationship extending along a predetermined path. A rotatable billhook is mounted adjacent the twine holder and positioned to intersect the predetermined path. Drive means interconnecting the twine holder and billhook rotate the two elements in timed relation such that during a first cycle of the billhook the twine portions are positioned thereabout, and during a second cycle of the billhook a knot is tied therein.

Abstract: An improved knot tying mechanism, primarily for use in the agricultural industry, is disclosed. A twine disc rotatably mounted about a central fixed hub is angularly arranged to position the twine-gripping area for better acceptance of twine from the needle and thereby reduce the incidence of misties due to inadequate gripping. A billhook shaft with a worm gear thereon extends through the fixed hub to properly support the billhook adjacent the twine-gripping area. Cooperating gear teeth on the twine disc are engaged by the worm gear so that rotational power applied to the billhook shaft is transmitted therethrough to provide corresponding movement of the twine disc.

Abstract: The stationary, lower jaw of the rotary bill hook has a transversely bulbous toe at its forward end that protrudes laterally outwardly in opposite directions from the longitudinal axis of the jaw. A laterally constricted neck immediately behind the toe retains strands looped around the hook during knot tying, and although the toe is bulbous, the jaw is so contoured that its circumference from the neck to the forwardmost edge of the toe does not exceed the circumference at the neck. As a result, a small, tight knot can be made without accidentally enlarging and loosening the same as it is stripped from the bill hook. The forwardly converging relationship of the upper and lower surfaces of the stationary jaw, together with an oblique relationship of the bulbous toe to the longitudinal axis of the jaw, provide the desired circumferential relationship.