Patent GB-190328497-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Swath Turners.
Inventor: BLACKSTONE EDWARD CHRISTOPHER
Filed: 1903-12-28
Granted: 1904-12-28
Abstract: 28,497. Blackstone, E. C., and Watts, R. E. Dec. 28. Haymaking.-In a swath turner or collector, one or more series of tines or forks are pivoted to horizontal or inclined rotating discs, and are connected to other discs on the shafts from which the first-mentioned discs receive their motion, so that they travel round the shafts in such a manner that their planes are always substantially vertical, and that, while passing beneath the shafts, they will follow any inequalities of the ground and will bear upon it for a sufficient distance to turn the crop, and, while passing over the shafts, will be lifted clear of them. Fig. 2 is a sectional side elevation of a machine with two sets of tines. Each shaft c rotates on a spindle e, which carries an inclined or horizontal disc f provided with bevel teeth g gearing with a bevel-pinion h on the shaft. Several tines d are pivoted on sockets i<1> rotatable on pins i on the discs f, the pivot pins of the tines being prevented from leaving the sockets i<1>, while at work, by projections i<2>. The movements of the tines d are controlled by links j pivoted on discs j<1> on the shaft c, the tines being passed through eyes j<2> and provided with stops so that they may fall freely through a limited distance. As the tines move upwards, hooks k come into contact with the links j and cause them to swing outwards. Means are provided for rotating each shaft c independently in either direction. In the arrangement shown, the bevel-pinion m on the end of each shaft c is moved into contact with either of two bevelwheels l<1> by means of a lever q<1>. The adjacent ends of the elongated bosses of the wheels l<1> are provided with interlocking teeth, and one of the wheels is connected with one of the travelling wheels b. The end of the spindle e fits into a socket on a bush p movable on the elongated bosses and provided with a pin r passing through the lever q<1>, which is pivoted on the lower of two bridge-pieces o<1> connecting two rings fitting against the bevel-wheels l<1>. The pinion m is held in or out of gear by causing a lug s<1> on the lever q<1> to enter one of a series of notches in a lug on the bush p, a spring t being provided behind the lever q<1>. A frame u is secured to the cranked axle a and to shafts v, and may be provided with a prop w. The front ends of the spindles e are attached to a bar x<3>, which is connected by chains x<2> to drums on a shaft x, and is raised or lowered by rotating the shaft x by means of the lever y<2> and chain y', the lever being held in position by a rack y<3>. The seat is clipped on the cranked axle a and supported by a tie-bar z<1> in such a position that the weight of the driver tends to balance the machine. The shafts c may project behind the main axle, and the seat in front. The shafts may be solid, and may be connected with the discs f by universal joints. The bar x<3> may be telescopic, and the wheels b may be adjustable along the axle a, being held in position by collars and setpins. Two or more sets of tines may be arranged so as to pass the crop from one to the other. Light guards of sheet iron or other material may be arranged between the sets of teeth. The Provisional Specification states that the horizontal shafts may be geared to a rotating axle, and that the tines may pass through slots in the vertical discs and may be acted upon by springs.