Improvements in Ploughs.
Year: 1896

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Ploughs.
I, ANTOINE CAYATTE, of Beaudonvilliers (Meuse), in the Republic of France,
Husbandman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The improvements which form the subject of the present application relates to
wheelless ploughs called "Belgian ploughs," and have for their object to ensure
the stability of these implements upon the soil and to enable a single person to
hold several ploughs at the same time with the greatest facility; they comprise
moreover certain details of construction or arrangement, the advantages of which
are stated in the course of the description hereinafter given.
With these improvements a group of Belgian ploughs, under the control of a
single ploughman, becomes a veritable multiple plough, more economic in every
respect, applicable to culture on a small, medium and large scale, and working a
considerable width proportionate to the number of ploughs united.
The invention comprises a plough beam forming the pole for the harness; a
stanchion which receives the coulter, the share, the earth board; a roller or rotary
sock mounted upon the stanchion; an automatic scraper or cleaner of the front
body of the plough; and a regulating device.
The plough beam comprises two poles of appropriate form, dimension and con-
struction, which are connected to a main part adapted to turn upon a horizontal
pin or axis, appertaining to a block and possessing heel-pieces or hooks adapted
to bear upon cylindrical and lateral shoulders of the block. This block is mounted
upon a vertical pivot forming a body with a fork articulated upon a horizontal
axis at the upper part of the stanchion.
The poles are provided in front with rings designed to receive the draught
hooks jointed to the collar of the harness. The rings and the articulated hooks
constitute a universal front joint which, combined with the universal rear joint
formed by the horizontal axis and the vertical pivot enables the pole-beam to
make an angular movement as well in the vertical direction as in the horizontal
direction. The fixing of the pole-beam to the collar of the harness ensures the
stability of the implement upon its points of support formed by the said collar
and by the roller or rotary sock. It will moreover be observed that the stability
is ensured by the fact that the centre of gravity of the whole of the instrument is
as near as possible to the line of the support.
.The roller arranged at the rear of the stanchion is connected with a horizontal
axis adapted to turn in the stanchion; it possesses a full disc situated on the side
of the wall of the furrow in which the said roller moves, and is designed to obviate
the soiling of the arms and of the axis. A fixed scraper cleans the rolling surface,
whose extent may be varied at will. This roller or rotary sock transforms the
movement of the ordinary sock giving rise to sliding friction into a movement
which causes rolling friction, facilitates the transport of the instrument without
any other special arrangement, and actuates the scraper or cleaner hereinafter
referred to.
As will be seen, the roller possesses advantages which are peculiar to it, and

page_text: This
it does not increase in any way the stability of the plough, which stability might
be obtained, owing to the special arrangement of the beam hereinbefore described
by making use of the ordinary sliding sock secured to the stanchion.
signifies that the roller or rotary sock constitutes only a portion of the improvements
mnade in ploughs.
The regulating device is formed of two screws, that is to say one screw arranged
horizontally and having for its object to regulate the width of the furrow; and
the other screw arranged vertically and having for its object to regulate the depth
of the said furrow. These two screws, perpendicular to each other, are screwed
into a part or double nut connected through the medium of the horizontal screw to
the aforesaid block, and through the medium of the vertical screw to the stanchion.
The horizontal screw turns upon the ears of the block and by its rotary movement
enables the said nut to be displaced to the right or to the left, which nut then
causes the entire body of the plough to turn about the vertical pivot. The vertical
screw terminates at the bottom in a ball which, being connected to the stanchion
by means of a spherical cap constitutes a cap joint; by its rotary movement it
permits of a change in the form of the triangle constituted by the centres. The
whole of this regulating device therefore enables me to vary the assemblage of
the beam and the body of the plough, for the purpose of varying the width of the
ploughing, and causing the plough to pass more or less deeply into the ground,
and even making it leave the same altogether, so as to vary the depth of the
ploughing and cause the plough to occupy the raised position for transport. The
horizontal and vertical screws hereinbefore referred to may be replaced by levers
or by gear wheels; the essential feature being to effect. twin normandionlan
1.11
a scraper placed in front and at the upper part of the coulter;
it is connected with a rod guided in a ring appertaining to the stanchion, and
connected to the strap or collar of an eccentric belonging to a roller slid upon an
axis which is fixed to an appendix of the stanchion. The said roller in contact
with the rotary sock receives by friction the movement from the latter and trans-
mits it by the eccentric to the scraper or cleaner which makes such a movement
that it frees the coulter from any herbs which the latter may take up during its
action.
The operation of the plough, improved as hereinbefore set forth, is as follows:
The plough arrives on the ground to be ploughed in the position for transport.
The first care of the ploughman is to act upon the two screws of the regulating
device with the aid of a suitable key fitting upon the squares of the said screws.
The action of the vertical screw has the effect of causing the body of the plough
to be turned about the horizontal axis, while the plough beam turns about the
imaginary horizontal axis; this movement causes a general sinking of the body
of the plough whose share penetrates into the ground, until the depth may be
deemed sufficient. The movement of the roller or rotary sock at the bottom of
the furrow or gauge keeps this bottom parallel to the surface of the ground, whilst
the rigidity of the system renders the depth of the ploughing constant. This depth
may be regulated by turning the vertical screw of the regulating device more or
less in the desired direction.
However that may be, the coulter and share by reason of their edges and their
broad friction surfaces, cause the plough to take the position of least resistance
parallel to the wall of the furrow, and the width of the latter is constant. For
increasing it I cause the point of the share to penetrate into the wall by acting
upon the screw horizontal; in this case the body of the plough turns about the
vertical axis, the beam follows this movement by turning about the imaginary.
axis formed by the hooks of the collar, and the coulter penetrates onto the fallow
or unploughed soil till the width is deemed sufficient: The body of the plough
then becomes parallel to the wall and the ploughing preserves the given width. I
may reduce this width by effecting the inverse operation.

page_text: From the foregoing it will be seen that the ploughman can attend to several
ploughs working simultaneously, his part consisting solely in regulating the depth
and width of the ploughing. Accordingly the ploughman disposes of his entire
independence for stimulating and controlling intelligently all his horses and
making them perform the maximum amount of work. The horses follow each
other perfectly by reason of the instructive tendency of draught animals to walk
in the gauge or furrow; if necessary they may he held by attaching them to the
plough which precedes them.
In conclusion it will be understood that I do not limit myself either to the
special forms or to any dimensions and that I reserve moreover the right to make
my improved ploughs of any sizes and provide them with a suitable coulter, share.
and earth board in conformity with the nature of the ground and the work to be
effected.
Dated this 11th day at
100/
I, ANTOINE CAYATTE, of Beaudonvilliers (Meuse), in the Republic of France,
Husbandman, 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, and accompanying drawings, that is to say.:-
The improvements which form the subject of the present invention, relate to
ploughs without wheels, and they have for their object methods of construction
and arrangement by which the steadiness and stability of the plough are ensured,
whilst a single attendant is able with the greatest ease, to drive several ploughs
at, once. The invention relates, further, to certain details of construction or
arrangement, the object and advantages of which are pointed out in the following
description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
By means of my present improvements, a set or group of the improved imple-
ments, under the management of a single conductor, becomes really a multiple
plough but more economical in every respect, and applicable alike to tilling on a
large, a moderate, or a small scale, and cultivating a considerable width of ground,
proportioned to the number of connected implements.
In the accompanying drawings, which are in illustration of my invention,
Figure 1 is a longitudinal elevation of one of my improved implements, adjusted
in the position for transport or conveyance from place to place.
Figure 2 shows the same plough in its position for working.
Figure 3 is a plan of Figures 1 and 2.
Figure 4, shows, on a larger scale, the body of the plough, partly in section.
Figure 5 is a corresponding plan of the same.
Figure 6 is a horizontal section along the line 6-6 in Figure 4.
Figure 7 is a horizontal section along the line 7-7 in Figure 4.
Figure 8 is a transverse section on the liue S-8 in Figure 4.
In Figures 1, 2, and 3, is the beam which forms part of the shaft for the
horses; B is the frame which carries the coulter u, the share. b, and the mould-
board c; C is a revolving roller carried by the frame; D is an automatic cleaner
at the front part of the plough; E represents the regulator or variable adjustment
device.

page_text: The beam A carries two shafts d and d' of any suitable shape, dimensions, and
construction, which are connected to the principal beam A, the forked end of
which is jointed at e by a horizontal pin or axis (Figures 4, 5, and 6,) to a block f,
the projecting ends of the fork of the beam forming claws or hooks g which can
rest upon corresponding cylindrical lateral projections upon the block f. The
block is mounted upon a vertical pivot formed upon the upper side of a cap
or head which is jointed at its lower end by a horizontal axis q to the upper
part of the frame B of the plough.
The shafts d, di are provided at their front ends with rings h, h (Figures 2.
and 3) which receive harness hooks i, i jointed to the front of the horse collar F.
These rings h, h', and the jointed hooks i, i, form a universal joint in front,
which combined with the corresponding universal joint at the back, composed of
the axis 7 and pivot p, allows the shafts and beam to have an angular movement
in either a vertical or a horizontal direction. The fixing of the shafts and beam
to the collar ensures the steadiness and stability of the plough on the points of
support formed respectively by the collar F and the revolving roller C. It will
he seen, moreover, that this stability is further assured by the fact that the centre
of gravity of the whole machine is brought as near as possible to the line of the
supports F, and C.
The roller C, arranged at the hack of the frame B has formed and fixed upon
it a horizontal axis j, turning in a hearing in the frame. It is formed (see
Figures 4 and 5) of a plain disc k situated against the side or wall of the furrow
in which it runs, and is intended to prevent the clogging of the arms and tho
axle. A cleaning scraper o cleans the edge of the roller, which may be made of
any desired.width This-revolving-roller-substitutes.for.the.usual.ruhhing-friction,
a molling movement, whilst it facilitates the carriage of the plough from place to
place, and also serves to operáte the cleaning device 1) described below.
It will be seen that the roller C possesses advantages of its own, but it does not
in itself add in any way to the stability, of the plough, which could he equally
well obtained (on account of the special arrangement of the beam and shafts
described above) by the ordinary sliding guide carried by the frame. The use of
the roller constitutes therefore only one element of the improved plough.
The adjustable regulator is formed of two screws, one, 1, arranged horizontally
and serving to regulate the width of the furrow, and the other, m, arranged verti-
eally and serving to regulate the depth of the said furrow. These two screws, at
right angles to each other, are screwed through a single block or double, nut n,
attached by means of the screw to the already described block f, and by means
of the screw m to the frame B. The screw / turns in bearings in ears on the
block and effects by its rotation, the movement either to the right or to the left
of the double nut n, which therefore causes the whole body of the plough to
oscillate or turn round the pivot p. The screw m terminates below in a sphere n¹
which is connected to the frame B by means of a spherical cap, so as to constitute a
universal joint. It allows, hy its movement, the form of th: triangle, constituted
by the centres q, 1, and m', to be changed. The entire regulating device therefore
allows the angles at which the heam is connected to the body of the plough to he
varied, so as to alter as desired the width of the furrow which is being ploughed,
and also to cause the plough to enter the ground to a greater or less depth
(Figure 2) or even to raise it completely out (Figure 1), so as to vary the depth of
the ploughing, or to put the machine into a position for ready transport from
place to place. Instead of the screws 7 and m, levers or equivalent devices may be
use, the essential condition being the facility for producing two movements at
right angles to each other, as described.
The cleaning device D consists of a scraper arranged in front of and at the
upper part of the coulter . This scraper has formed upon it an arın or rod r
guided at by a ring or guide carried by the frame B and connected to the hoop
or strap of an excentric t upon a friction roller which turns upon an axis fixed
to a projection upon the frame. The roller w, being in contact with the revolving"

page_text: roller C, is driven by friction from the latter and accordingly transmits, by the
excentric t, a movement to the scraper D by which the coulter a is freed from
grass and other matters which it collects when operating.
The operation of the improved plough is as follows:-
It is brought to the land which is to be ploughed, arranged in the position.
shewn in Figure 1. The attendant then operates the two screws and m of the
regulating device, turning them by a suitable key fitted upon their squared ends.
The operation of the screw m is to turn the body of the plough round the horizontal
axis q, at the same time that the beam turns round an imaginary axis h, h'. This
movement produces a general depression of the body of the plough, the share b
of which penetrates into the ground (Figure 2) until it has reached a depth con-
sidered sufficient. The running of the roller C along the bottom of the furrow
keeps this bottom parallel with the surface of the ground, and the rigidity of the
apparatus keeps the depth of this tillage constant and uniform. This depth may
be varied by turning more or less the screw m of the regulator in the requisite
direction.
The coulter a and the ploughshare b, by their edges and their broad surfaces
of friction, cause the plough to take the position of least resistance parallel to the
wall of the furrow, and the width of the latter is constant. In order to increase
it, the point of the share is caused to enter the wall of the furrow, by turning
the screw ; the body of the plough then turning round the axis 2, whilst the
beam follows this movement. by turning round an imaginary axis formed by
the collar hooks and, and the coulter a penetrates the unploughed soil until
the width obtained is considered sufficient. The body of the plough then becomes
parallel with the wall of the furrow, and the ploughing continues at the desired
width. The width may be reduced by the inverse process.
From what has been said it will be seen that the attendant can manage several
ploughs working simultaneously, his duty being simply to regulate the depth and
width of the ploughing.. He can therefore devote himself to driving his horses
so as to obtain from them the greatest possible amount of work. The horses
follow with perfect regularity, on account of the instinctive tendency of draught
animals to follow and walk in the furrows. If found necessary, they can be
attached to the plough which precedes them.
Finally, it is to be understood that I do not confine myself to the precise form
and dimensions described and illustrated, and that the improved ploughs may be
made of all sizes and may be provided with coulters, ploughshares, and mould-
boards, of any kind suitable to the nature of the soil and of the work which is to
be done.
•
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. In ploughs of the kind described, the combination with the frame carrying
the coulter, share, and mouldboard, of a beam and shaft attached to the framo
by a universal joint, and to the horse collar by a joint of a similar kind; the
beam receiving the pull in the axis of the draught, and ensuring to the frame of
the plough such stability and steadiness that a single attendant can manage
several ploughs working one behind the other, substantially as described and
illustrated.
2. In ploughs of the kind described, the combination with the frame carrying
the coulter, share, and mouldboard, and the beam arranged as described and
claimed in Claim 1, of a roller arranged behind the frame and serving to substitute,
when working, a rolling movement for direct friction, and to facilitate the move-
ment of the plough from place to place, and also to actuate a cleaning device,
substantially as described and illustrated.
3. In ploughs of the kind described, the combination with the frame carrying
the coulter, share, and mouldboard, and the beam arranged as described and

page_text: claimed in Claim 1, of the adjustable regulating device formed of two screws at
right angles to each other, one of the said screws regulating the depth of the
furrows, and the other regulating their width, substantially as described and
illustrated.
4. In combination with the coulter, and the revolving 1oller described and
claimed in Claim 2, the cleaning device consisting of a scraper actuated by an
excentric driven by means of the revolving roller, and having for its object to
automatically remove from the coulter, grass and other matters which it collects
when operating, substantially as described and illustrated.
5. The improved plough, consisting of a frame provided with a coulter, a
ploughshare, and a mouldboard, and with a revolving roller, a beam connected
by a universal joint to the frame and to the collar of the harness, an adjustable
regulating device consisting of two screws at right angles to each other for regulat-
ing the deptit and width of the ploughing and enabling the plough to be readily
moved from place to place, and a scraper actuated by the revolving roller and
serving to automatically clean the coulter, all substantially as described and
illustrated.
Dated it:
1000
EDWARDS & Co.,
65 and 66, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant..