Cover for large bales of hay

Abstract

The present invention is a reusable, free standing cover for holding a large bale of hay. The cover can be round or square in cross section to accommodate round or square bales and is provided externally with feet to enable the cover to hold the bale of hay above the ground and to enable stacking of bales of hay.

Claims

1. A reusable, free standing cover for encapsulating a bale of hay, the cover comprising: a horizontal body, wherein the body forms: an open front end positioned substantially vertically with respect to the horizontal body and through which the bale of hay may be inserted into the cover; a closed rear end positioned substantially vertically with respect to the horizontal body and opposite the open front end, the closed rear end forming a spear hole for accessing and lifting the bale of hay inside the cover; a bottom side forming drip holes adapted to drain fluids and condensate from the cover; a removable lid receivable on the open front end of the cover, the removeable lid comprising a spear hole for accessing and lifting the bale of hay inside the cover and a plurality of holes adapted to release heat within the bale or the cover, wherein the plurality of holes are formed proximate a top periphery of the removable lid to permit the release of heat; and a support foot attached to the bottom side of the body.

2. The cover of claim 1 wherein the cover is made from a free standing material.

3. The cover of claim 2 wherein the cover is made from a material selected from the group consisting of metal, plastic or galvanized steel and combinations thereof.

4. The cover of claim 1 wherein the shape of the cover is round.

5. The cover of claim 1 wherein the shape of the cover is square.

6. The cover of claim 1 wherein the closed rear end is closeable and comprises an open rear end through which the bale of hay may be inserted into the cover and a removable lid receivable on the rear end.

7. The cover of claim 6 wherein the removeable lid receivable on the rear end forms a spear hole for accessing and lifting the bale of hay inside the cover and a plurality of holes proximate a top periphery of the removable lid on the rear end.

8. The cover of claim 1 wherein the support foot elevates the cover above a substrate.

9. The cover of claim 1 wherein the support foot enables multiple covers to be stacked.

10. The cover of claim 1 further comprising signage.

11. The cover of claim 1 wherein the closed rear end, positioned substantially vertically with respect to the horizontal body and opposite the open front end, further forms a plurality of holes adapted to release heat within the bale or the cover, wherein the plurality of holes are formed proximate a top periphery of the removable lid to permit the release of heat.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a front plan view of a round cover for large round hay bales that is constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a plan view of a lid for covering the open front end of the cover of FIG. 1.

(3) FIG. 3 is a rear plan view of the cover of FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the cover of FIG. 1.

(5) FIG. 5 is a side view of the cover of FIG. 1.

(6) FIG. 6 is a front plan view of a square cover for large square hay bales that is constructed in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

(7) FIG. 7 is a plan view of a lid for covering the open front end of the cover of FIG. 6.

(8) FIG. 8 is a rear plan view of the cover of FIG. 6.

(9) FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the cover of FIG. 6.

(10) FIG. 10 is a side view of the cover of FIG. 6

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(11) Referring now to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1-5, there is illustrated a round cover 10 for a large round bale of hay 12 that is constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 6-10 illustrate an alternate embodiment square cover 10A that is for use with a large square bale of hay. The covers 10 and 10A are reusable and free standing. Each cover 10 and 10A is slightly larger than the bale of hay 12 and 12A that will be inserted into it. The cover 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 is round in cross-sectional configuration to accommodate a round bale of hay 12, and the alternate cover 10A illustrated in FIGS. 6-10 is square in cross-sectional configuration to accommodate a square bale of hay 12A.

(12) The covers 10 and 10A may be constructed of plastic, metal, galvanized material or any other suitable material that is weather resistant and free standing.

(13) Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6, the covers 10 and 10A are open on their front ends 14 and 14A so that a bale of hay 12 and 12A can be inserted into each cover 10 and 10A via its open end 14 and 14A.

(14) As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 7, each of the open ends 14 and 14A can be provided with a removable lid 16 and 16A designed to cover the open end 14 and 14A. The lids 16 and 16A preferably are provided with a central spear hole 18 and 18A where a stinger can be inserted to lift the bale 12 and 12A and with heat holes 20 and 20A near the top 22 and 22A of the cover 10 and 10A to allow heat and moisture to escape from the bale 12 and 12A.

(15) Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 8, each cover 12 and 12A is provided on its opposite rear end 24 and 24A with a central spear hole 26 and 26A where a stinger can insert to lift the bale 12 and 12A and with heat holes 28 and 28A near the top 22 and 22A of the cover 10 and 10A to allow heat and moisture to escape from the bale of hay 12 and 12A.

(16) Optionally, although not illustrated, the covers 10 and 10A can be made to be open also on their rear ends 24 and 24A and provided with removable lids 16 and 16A, as previously described for open ends 14 and 14A.

(17) As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 9, a bottom 30 and 30A of each cover 10 and 10A is provided with drip holes 32 and 32A that allow water to drain out of the cover 10 and 10A. Externally, the bottom 30 and 30A of each cover 10 and 10A is provided with feet 34 and 34A that serve to hold the bale 12 and 12A and the cover 10 and 10A above the ground. The feet 34 and 34A also facilitate stacking of bales of hay 12 and 12A.

(18) Referring to FIGS. 5 and 10, sides 36 and 36A of the covers 10 and 10A can be used to display advertising, promotional information, slogans or images, school pride, favorite ball team, etc. 38 and 38A.

(19) While the invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is manifest that many changes may be made in the details of construction and the arrangement of components without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. It is understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein for the purposes of exemplification, but is to be limited only by the scope of the attached claim or claims, including the full range of equivalency to which each element thereof is entitled.