Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 16th May, 1888
Specification Accepted, 22nd June, 1888
I ALEXANDER MCGREGOR of Albion Iron Works Leigh in the County of Lancaster
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
This invention relates as a whole to that class of two wheeled machines usually
called "combined," and adaptable either for reaping or for mowing; but parts of the
said invention are, as will be hereinafter explained, equally applicable to machines used
either for reaping only or for mowing.
My invention has reference first to the mechanism which governs the speed at
which the crank shaft is rotated by the first motion wheel or wheels, secondly to the
connection between the said crank shaft and the knife-bar and thirdly to the adjusting
mechanism which regulates the height of the "finger bar" and consequently the cut.
of the knives: And these improvements will be readily understood on reference to
the accompanying drawings and from the following explanation thereof.
On Sheet 1 Fig. 1 is a plan view of so much of a reaping and mowing machine as
is necessary to generally illustrate my invention, the platform and its adjuncts being
removed.
On Sheet 2. Fig. 2. is an elevation of the same the platform and lever being shown.
Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation thereof.
Sheets 3. 4. and 5 illustrate various detached parts hereafter more particularly
referred to, the view on Sheets 3 and 4 being drawn to a larger scale.
In order the more readily to admit of changing the speed of the knife from quick
to slow speed and vice-versa, and at the same time to retain the advantage of having
the hinge joint connecting the finger bar to the frame concentric with the crank shaft,
I make use of a new and particular arrangement of frame and gearing as shown in
the accompanying drawings, Figs. 1. 2. 3. and 4º.
The first-motion spur wheel A, (or there may be two wheels) drives a spur pinion B
(or pinions) on the second motion shaft C, placed behind, and slightly above the level
of the main shaft D and on this second-motion shaft are two spur wheels E and F of
unequal diameters, free to turn on the shaft but capable of being driven by a sliding
clutch G, which is placed between them on the second-motion shaft, and is provided

page_text: with teeth to gear into corresponding teeth on the side of each of the spur wheels.
A lever H or other suitable device is made to actuate this sliding clutch, so as to
cause it to drive either the larger or smaller spur wheel or to remain central and run
free of either of them.
At the back of the second motion shaft C, and as much below the same as will give
sufficient room for the sliding clutch to move clear of the crank shaft bearing I. is
placed a third shaft or pin J, carrying a bevil wheel K, having two spur pinions K
and K, (one at either side of it) with diameters suited to gear into and be driven by
the spur wheels E and F. The bevel wheel K. drives a bevil pinion L, on the crank
shaft which gives motion to the knife by means of the crank wheel d pine and
connecting rod b.
When the clutch G is shifted into gear with the large spur wheel E. it gives motion
to the bevel wheel K by means of the small spur pinion K³ and consequently drives
it at the quick speed, and when the said clutch G is shifted to gear into the smaller
spur wheel F. it drives the bevil wheel K by means of the large spur pinion K², and
gives the slow speed.
This arrangement of gearing admits of a longer and consequently steadier crank
shaft than in the ordinary machines, and gives convenient room for the backstay M,
to the hinge-bar N. being carried around the tube I through which the crank shaft
passes.
Also by reason of the crank shaft being carried under the second motion and the
main shafts, it is at a less angle, and more nearly level or horizontal than in those
machines in which the hevel wheel is carried on the main shaft.
In order to actuate the clutch and throw the same into or out of gear with either
of the spur wheels I make use of the following arrangements. The gear cover is
made in two parts, the front part P being firmly fixed or bolted to the main frame
and having formed or cast in it a bearing for the clutch spindle O, also an oil cup S,
or other suitable arrangement for communicating oil to the crank shaft bearing. The
spindle has a disc at its lower end, having a stud or pin carrying a friction
roller placed excentrically with the spindle O, and fitting into the groove of the
sliding clutch G. To the upper end of the spindle O is secured a lever handle H,
having a small rib or projection at its under side which fits into either of three
holes or notches formed in the top of the fixed gear cover P; these holes or notches
corresponding with the different positions necessary to retain the clutch.
Figs. 2 and 3. show the arrangement with holes to take the projection on the lever,
and Fig. 2 is a plan view showing notches formed in the segment of a ring which
may be cast on the cover P.
Around the spindle O. I place a spiral spring R which presses against the disc O
and causes the projection on the lever to remain in either of the three holes or notches
until pulled, moved or actuated with sufficient force to compress the spring.
To retain the gearing in its proper position on the second motion shaft C and to
afford greater facility for taking the parts out of the machine when required without
the necessity of removing the main axle and driving wheels, I make use of an
arrangement shown more particularly in the enlarged detached view Fig. 4. I form
the clutch G with one-or by preference two,-keys or feathers which fit in the
corresponding seats or grooves in the second motion shaft. The pinion B is secured
by means of a pin C firmly fixed in the second motion shaft and fitting in slots
formed in the pinion. Or in some cases I form two solid cross pieces on the end of
the second motion shaft C as shown in Figs. 5 and 6.
The other end of the shaft C is turned down to a size corresponding with the bottom
of the key grooves on which the clutch works; and by means of a collar or washer S
secured by a pin or set screw, the shaft is retained in its position in work, but by
removing the collar it may easily be withdrawn the small part passing through the
clutch, and the whole of it through the pinion B, and internal wheel, without the
necessity of removing the latter to admit of the withdrawal of the pinion and shaft
which, owing to the flanges or shrouding on the internal wheel and pinion,-is
necessary in those cases where the pinion is firmly keyed to the shaft.

page_text: In order to improve the lubrication of the crank pin e and to maintain the head of
the connecting rod 6 in its proper position on the said crank pin and at the same
time to admit of its being readily removed I form a flange or collar a', (sce Sheet 4)
on the inner end of the connecting rod bushing a and between this flange and tho
head of the connecting rod bis placed an annular plate or washer e with an outside
diameter larger than the flange a¹; this washer is free to turn on the bushing between
the flange and the head of the connecting rod.
The bushing is secured to the head of the connecting rod either by screwing or
other suitable means, but by preference in such a manner as to be firmly fixed, and
at the same time to be easy of removal.
Figs. 7. and 10 show the bushing screwed into the head of the connecting rod,
and Fig. 11. shows it formed taper and fitting a corresponding hole in the connecting
rod head and secured by a screwed cap g at the outer end.
The direction of the thread of the screw on the bushing a is such that the head
of the connecting rod always has a tendency to be tightened thereon by the revolution
of the crank wheel d.
In the face of the said crank-wheel d and around the crank-pin e is formed a
rebated recess to receive the flange of the bushing and the steel washer c, the latter
being turned to fit close into the recess while the flange has sufficient clearance to
allow of a small space to contain oil between it and the metal of the crank wheel.
In order to secure the steel washer in the recess and thereby retain the connecting
rod in its position on the crank pin, I make use of two or more pins or buttons f,
firmly secured to the crank wheel and clipping the face of the steel washer C, but
capable of being withdrawn or, in the case of buttons, turned round, so as to admit
of the removal of the steel washer and with it the connecting rod. Fig. 9 shows
butions rivetted through small washers, and Fig. 8. shows a button to be screwed into
the crank wheel and fastened by a lock nut.
In order to retain the oil around the crank pin i I secure a cap g, on the outer
end of the bushing, or in some cases I form the bushing with a blank end as shown
in Fig. 10.
The oil may be supplied through a small oil way h (Fig. 7) in the crank wheel,
with holes communicating with the cavity around the flange, and with the chamber
at the outer end of the pin; or it may be supplied through a hole formed in the cap
and the outer end of the bushing, the hole to be closed by a set screw i (Figs. 8, 9,
and 12) or other suitable device.
As a modification of this part of the invention I sometimes make use of a bushing
with a blank end as shown in Figs. 12 and 13 and by using a cap form an extra
oil chamber. k, outside the blank end; having a small hole through the latter sufficient
to deliver oil to the crank pin when the chamber is agitated by the motion of the
machine, but above the oil level when the machine is at rest.
Fig. 8b, shows a modification of the washer having notches m, m to admit of its
being removed without disturbing the pin or buttons.
In this case the washer is formed with lugs.n, n projecting from its face so as to
admit of a key being used to partially rotate the washer and bring the face part
under the fixed pins or buttons.
The lugs are placed in such position as to prevent the washer from turning more
than is necessary to lock it under the pins.
According to a further modification, instead of placing the flange of the bushing
in the recess behind the steel washer I place it outside the same as shown in Fig. 14
and make use of the recess a¹ as simply an oil chamber and in order to retain the
connecting rod in position in some cases I form the crank pin with a head e¹ to bear
against the outer end of the bushing.
The flange of the bushing is octagonal or provided with flats or otherwise formed
to take a spanner or key for unscrewing the bushing from the connecting rod, and
the outer end of the bushing is fitted with a screwed cap or lock-nut.
The connecting rod may be removed either by withdrawing the crank pin from
the crank wheel or by unscrewing the bushing from the connecting rod.

page_text: In order to secure the pin (Fig. 15) which couples the connecting rod to the
eye of the knife head, and at the same time admit of its ready removal for with-
drawing the knife; I form the pin with an oil-hole having an opening at the
centre of the head of the pin, and to the side of the connecting rod I attach a spring
latch, with a point or projection which fits into the hole in the head of the pin.
The spring catch is secured to the connecting rod by means of a rivet or pin,
which causes it to give the necessary pressure for effectually closing the oil-hole
and keeping the pin in position; but allowing the spring catch to be swivelled
on the rivet so as to be out of the line of the pin when it is desired to withdraw
the same.
In machines suitable for either mowing or reaping provision is often made for
shifting the draught pole, and in some cases the driver's scat, so as to give more room
for the standing crop and the seat for the putter-off, in reaping than is required for
mowing. This shifting of the driver's seat necessarily brings the driver nearer to or
further away from the lifting-lever and into a position at one of the operations which
is not altogether suitable for lifting the finger bar.
To obviate this inconvenience I make use of an arrangement shown in Fig. 1, and
detached Figs. 16, 17 and 18 whereby the lever can be readily shifted so as to always
maintain a suitable position with regard to the drivers seat.
The lower end of the lever T, at that part which is bolted to the lever-socket U,
(which is on the same shaft as or forms part of the ordinary lifting quadrant) I taper
off and insert a wedge V between it and the metal of the socket, and by reversing the
wedge, the top end of the lever is thrown in or out sufficiently to compensate for the
shifting of the seat.
In cases where a spring catch is used I joint the rod W as shown
at a point clear of the lever socket in such a manner as shall make little or no difference
to the length of the rod.
Figs. 17 and 18 show the different positions of this lever T.
I would, remark in conclusion that it will be evident without further illustration
that the means for mounting the gearing on the second motion shaft for actuating the
crank shaft from a third shaft or pin and for lubricating the crank pin and attaching
the connecting rod may be applied with advantage to single speed machines, either
reapers or mowers.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
First. The construction and arrangement of parts forming improvements in com-
bined machines for reaping and mowing substantially as hereinbefore described and
illustrated by the annexed drawings.
Secondly. The particular arrangement of shafts and gearing as described with
reference to Figs. 1. 2. 3 and 4 as applied to a two-speeded machine.
Thirdly. The combination of the crank shaft continued under and beyond the main
axle and second motion shaft so as to admit of a longer crank shaft than usual, with
the bevel pinion gearing into and being driven by a bevel wheel on a third shaft or
pin placed in the position behind the second motion shaft as shown and described, either
as applied to a single or a double speed machine.
Fourthly. The arrangement for actuating the clutch as shown and described with
reference to Figs. 1. 2. 2" and 4.
Fifthly. The arrangement for securing the second-motion shaft and at the same
time rendering it easy of removal as described with reference to Figs. 4. 5. and 6.
Sixthly. The means for securing the connecting rod head in mowing or reaping
machines as described with reference to Figs. 7 to 14, consisting of the recess formed
in the crank wheel and the plate or washer retaining the flange of the bushing and
fitting in the recess, in combination with the pins or buttons f and the cap g.
Seventhly. The means for securing the connecting rod head in mowing or reaping
machines as described consisting of the recess formed in the crank wheel and the plate
or washer retaining the flange of the bushing and fitting in the recess, in combination

page_text: with the pins or buttons and the cap g, a screw thread being formed on the
bushing and the head of the connecting rod being tapped to fit the same.
Eightly. The modification as described with reference to Figs. 12 and 13. having
the extra oil chamber outside the blank end of the bushing and the oil hole as shown
and described.
Ninthly. The modification having the plate or washer made to partially rotate
so as to be withdrawn without disturbing the pins as described with reference to
Fig. 86.
Tenthly. The oil chamber or recess in the crank wheel in combination with the
screwed bushing and outer cap or lock-nut as shown and described with reference to
Fig: 14.
Eleventhly. The arrangement for securing the pin which couples the connecting
rod to the eye of the knife head in combination with the oil-hole in the pin, as shown
and described in reference to Fig. 15.
Twelfthly. The arrangement for shifting the lifting-lever as and for the purpose
described and shown by Figs. 16, 17, and 18.
1.: 1741 J.... CM 1000
GEORGE DAVIES,
4, St. Ann's Square, Manchester,
Agent for the Applicant.