IMPROVEMENTS IN GRAIN BINDERS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Sydney Pitt, of Sutton, in the County of Surrey, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN GRAIN BINDERS." A communication from
abroad by Edwin Ruthven Whitney, of the Village of Magog, in the County
of Stanstead, and Charles Lucien Bossé and Angus McKay, both of the City
of Montreal, all in the Province of Quebec, Canada.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Sydney Pitt at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 25th February 1878.
SYDNEY PITT, of Sutton, in the County of Surrey. "IMPROVEMENTS IN GRAIN
BINDERS." [A communication from abroad by Edwin Ruthven Whitney, of the
Village of Magog, in the County of Stanstead, and Charles Lucien Bossé and Angus
McKay, both of the City of Montreal, all in the Province of Quebec, Canada.]
By this Invention the mechanism for binding the grain cut by any reaping
machine is placed at or about the level of the delivery platform, thus doing away
with the necessity for the elevation required on all binding machines in use up
to this time to raise the grain up to the level of the binding apparatus proper.
The apparatus is also so arranged that the machine to which it is applied will not
extend over more front than any of the usual types of reaping machines.
Its principal features may be thus described
:-
In rear of the driving wheels of the reaper at the level of the platform and on
its delivery side is placed a frame suitably carried at its rear end, and carrying
rollers over which runs an endless belt or apron, moving in the line of delivery and
actuated automatically, the distance moved being at the will of the driver, varied
according to the length of straw of the grain to be bound. Across this belt and
at right angles to the line of its movement runs back and forth a carrier, bunching
the grain deposited on the apron, bringing it up to the binding apparatus proper,
and pressing it up against the binding wire or cord, which is held losely between
the needle arm and suitable holders below.
The needle arm, which is actuated by a rock shaft and is preferably pivotted
thereto in such a manner as not to describe in its movement a regular arc of a circle,

page_text: is then set in motion taking the wire round the sheaf, & laying the end between
the holders above mentioned placed below the twister, these being so arranged that
the wire or cord comes exactly in front of a slot in the twister proper, into which
it is pushed by a device for that purpose, and is also operated upon to cut off the
ragged twisted end. The pierced or cored pinion which constitutes the twister
is then rotated till the ends of the wire are sufficiently wound, and is then locked
in place, the band being then cut off from the wire roll by a suitable knife or cutter.
The whole of these different mechanisms are so constructed and timed as to work
in proper sequence in performing the several operations required to bind the grain
into a sheaf. The several movements are also positive and direct, no springs being
used to return the different parts to their normal positions after having performed
their respective functions.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Sydney Pitt in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 23rd August
1878.
SYDNEY PITT, of Sutton, in the County of Surrey. “IMPROVEMENTS IN GRAIN
BINDERS." A communication from abroad by Edwin Ruthven Whitney, of the
Village of Magog, in the County of Stanstead, and Charles Lucien Bossé and Angus
McKay, both of the City of Montreal, all in the Province of Quebec, Canada.
The object of the Invention is to produce a binder in which the elevator required
in all the machines now in use to raise the gavel to the binding apparatus is
dispensed with, and the whole mechanism arranged at or about the level of the
platform, another desideratum sought being the whole machine with the binder
shall not present a greater front tham any of the well-known types of reaping
machines.
The principal features may be thus described :-
In rear of the driving wheels of the reaper at the level of the platform and on
its delivery side is placed a frame suitably carried at its rear end, and carrying
rollers slightly inclined upwards towards the rear, over which runs an endless belt
or apron moving in the line of delivery and actuated automatically, the distance
moved being at the will of the driver varied according to the length of straw of the
grain to be bound. Across this belt and at right angles to the line of its movement
runs back and forth a carrier, bunching the grain deposited on the apron, bringing
it up to the binding apparatus proper, and pressing it up against the binding wire
or cord, which is held loosely between the needle arm and suitable holders below.
The needle arm, which is actuated by a rock shaft and is preferably pivotted
thereto in such a manner as not to describe in its movement a regular segment
of a circle, is then set in motion, taking the wire round the sheaf, and laying the
end between the holders above mentioned placed below the twister, these being
BO arranged that the wire or cord comes exactly in front of a slot in the twister

page_text: proper, into which it is pushed by a device for that purpose, also operating to cut
off the rugged twisted end of the wire. The pierced or bored pinion which
constitutes the twister is then rotated till the ends of the wire are sufficiently
wound, and is then locked in place, the band being then cut off from the wire roll
by a suitable knife or cutter.
The whole of these different mechanisms are so constructed and timed as to work
in proper sequence in performing the several operations required to bind the grain
into a sheaf. The several movements are also positive and direct, no springs being
used to return the different parts to their normal positions after having performed
their respective functions.
For fuller comprehension however of my Invention reference must be had to the
annexed Drawings, in which,
Figure 1 is a general plan of the binder with cover and needle arm removed.
Figure 2 is a plan of mechanism for operating apron; Figure 3 is a side elevation
of same.
Figure 4 is a detail of pawl.
Figure 5 is a plan view of mechanism operating grain carrier; Figure 6 is a rear
view of same.
Figure 7 is a part side elevation of machine showing needle bar, &c.
Figure 8 is a part plan view of machine showing needle bar, &c
Figure 9 is a plan of mechanism for operation needle bar twister, &c.
Figure 10 is a front elevation of mechanism for operating needle bar twister, &c.
Figure 11 is a sectional elevation of twister.
Figure 12 is a plan of holders and forked levers; Figure 13 is a side view of
same.
Similar letters of reference indicate like parts.
A is the frame of the machine screwed to the reaper, as before mentioned, in rear
of the driving wheels by any suitable bolt or fastening, and may be also attached
to the platform so as to fit closely against its delivery side. The rear end of this
frame is carried by any suitable wheels and contains the binding apparatus proper,
which is separated by a cross piece A¹ from the space occupied by an endless belt
or apron A², revolving (at right angles to the line of traction) on rollers A³ inclined
upwards towards their rear ends to one of which motion is given, as will be
presently described. Upon this apron, the width of which will equal that of
the delivery side of the platform, are secured any desired number of slats or
projections a.
A is a shaft running through the apron A², connected at its forward end with
the reaper to which the apparatus is attached, and rotated from any going part of
its machinery. This shaft, by means of bevel gears or their equivalent, rotates the
vertical main shaft B, carried in any suitable frame or bearings from which the
whole binding apparatus receives motion. Upon this shaft is keyed a pinion B',
intermeshing with a wheel C, also keyed on to a vertical shaft C. In this gear is
fixed, as shown, a pin c, projecting both above and below it, the upper end of which
acts upon a bent lever D of the form shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, pivotted at d,
having in its forward end a slot D', and with groove formed, where shown at d¹,
in its under side to allow of the passage through it at the pin c.
On this point d
is pivotted a lever D³, connected at its outer end to a rod D* led to the driver's
seat under his control, and secured in any desired position by a suitable locking
device. To the inner end of this lever D2 is pivotted a link D³, adjustably con-
nected by means of a pin D5 with the slotted end D¹ of the lever D, and a slotted
arm Do pivotted to the spindle E and clipping the periphery of the gear wheel E
on the under side of which is formed a ratchet E2, in which intermeshes a weighted
pawl D7 (shown in detail in Figure 4) pivotted to the under side of the arm Dº.
Upon this spindle E is mounted a bevel gear E³, intermeshing with another gear Es
mounted on a counter shaft E, which by suitable gears imparts a rotary motion
to the outer roller A³ of the apron A².
I will now proceed to describe the mechanism by which the grain is brought up

page_text: to the binder, as shown more particularly in Figures 1, 5, 6, 7, and 8. Upon a
spindle E, placed where shown, is mounted loosely a crank F, composed of two
arms ff, and upon the spindle C of the gear wheel G' is firmly fixed another bell
crank F¹ similarly formed of arms f³, f³, the ends of the arms f², ³, being con-
nected by a bar F, curved, if required, as in this case.
The wheel is arranged to communicate through a series of gears arranged in
the ordinary way, motion at an increased rate of speed to a bevel pinion G², inter-
meshing with another pinion G³ mounted on a shaft G rotating through suitable
gears, the shaft H passing through the frame A, and having mounted upon its ends
pitch chain wheels H¹, over which run chain belts H2 passing over similar wheels
at the forward end of the frame A. Upon these belts H is secured the grain
carrier I, of the form shown in Figures 1, 7, and 8, having formed in its lower bar
from which the teeth spring a set, as at 1¹, toes I2 projecting downwards from each
prong close to the bevel of the slats a.
If desired, guides of any kind may be formed on the sides of the frame A to
prevent lateral movement of the carrier, and it may in some cases be made to set
loosely upon standards secured on the belts H2, so as to enable it to rise.
The mechanism for operating the arm carrying the wire or needle bar is shown
in Figures 7, 8, 9, and 10, and may be thus described:-Upon the spindle C and
above the gear wheel C¹ is keyed a pitch chain wheel C³, driving by means of a
chain belt Cs a similar wheel K¹ mounted rigidly upon a shaft K, upon which is
secured a cam wheel K2 of the form shown particularly in Figure 10, having on
its periphery a groove k in which works an arm L, keyed on to and partially
rotating a rock shaft L¹ (carried in suitable bearings ), in this being mounted a
lever L connected adjustably (both vertically and horizontally) by a link L³ to a
lever L, keyed on to a rock shaft M, carried in proper bearings raised above the
apparatus and imparting motion thereto. To this rock shaft are secured rigidly
arms M¹, in which are formed bearings for the spindle of the reel M² carrying the
wire, and from which it is taken through suitable eyes n along the curved arms
or needle bar N to its point, made in the usual way, in which similar arms are
formed on other binders. To the rear end N¹ of this needle bar is attached by &
pivot to a curved brace or link O, pivotted at its other end to a curved arm O'
curved out from the frame of the machine.
The binding arm or needle bar N is also pivotted, where shewn at N2 to a curved
arm O keyed on to the rock shaft M and moving with it, and is further provided
with a stay or brace 0³ pivotted at both ends, as shewn in the Drawings, to
stiffen it.
The apparatus for holding and twisting the wire passed round the sheaf is shewn
in Figures 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13, and is as follows:-Upon the shaft C, rotated as
before described, is mounted a disc C* carrying a pin C, which as the disc revolves
strikes against and passes through a grooved lug P₁, secured to a level P pivotted
at p to any suitable stud or part of the frame; this lever ending in two arms P², P³,
of the configuration shewn in Figure 12, the former having at its end a cutting
edge, and both being bent so as to pass freely under the holders Q, shewn in
Figures 10, 12, and 13, the fork P³ moving in guide Q1 formed on the under side of
these. The opening between these holders will be exactly in a vertical line with
that of the twister proper above, where this is locked in place. This twister is
shewn in Figures 1, 9, 10, and 11, formed by boring out (or casting in that shape) a
small pinion R, and placing in or securing to the bottom a plate R¹, the whole
being carried in a frame S, which is at S¹ formed so as to give access to the slot R³
cut in the side and bottom of the twister, and into which the wire or cord is set.
If desired the bottom plate R¹ may be made in one with the twister proper, R.
The twister receives its motion as will now be described. Upon the shaft K
(rotated as before described by pitch chains and wheels from the shaft C) is keyed a
wheel T, having a portion T of its periphery toothed so as to intermesh inter-
mittently with a gear wheel B' mounted loosely on the main shaft B, but keyed to
and revolving another gear B³, which intermeshes with and rotates the twister.

page_text: U is a bowspring secured in any suitable position, and having formed on its upper
sido a lug U', which fits into a corresponding opening or groove in the wheel B³, and
upon the under side of the wheel T is formed a cam T2, having one end splayed off
so as to slide on to a projection U on the upper side of the spring and hold it down,
thus releasing the wheel B and allowing it to rotate, motion being imparted to it
in the first instance by means of a lug Ts formed on the under side of the wheel T
and striking against a projection T cast on the under side of B. W is the lever
pivotted at w to the frame S, and having on its inner end a cutting edge to sever
the wire when twisted; this lever being of the form shewn in Figure 9 with a
bend W' and return bend W2, the former one being grooved as at W³ to allow of
the passage through it of the pin T3 by which it is operated.
By increasing the time of rotation of the twister, and slightly altering the con-
struction of the holders so as to give a longer twisted end, my apparatus will
serve equally well where cord is used instead of wire for the binding material.
The whole of the operating part of the machine is provided with a cover to
prevent the machinery from becoming clogged with straw, dirt, &c.
The manner in which the several devices, which form the whole binding apparatus,
work is as follows, the description following the sequence of their operation:-The
gear wheel B on the main shaft B rotates the gear wheel C¹ carrying the pin c,
which striking the lever D throws over in the opposite direction its forward end,
and communicates a corresponding motion to the arm De through its connection
therewith by the pin D5 passing through it and the slot D'. To this arm D® is
pivotted the weighted pawl D', which striking into the ratchet E* turns the wheel E'
a distance corresponding to the throw of the lever, thus rotating the rollers A³ and
with it the apron A², the intermediate gearing being so timed that the full throw
of the lever D shall rotate the rollers A³ sufficiently to cause the apron A* to move
about the distance between the rollers. The driver can, however, by means of the
rod D to act upon the link D³ through the lever D2 as to move the pivot point D
at the junction of the lever D and arm De, further from or nearer to the pivot E of
this arm D, and thus as the pivot will move when acted upon in a larger or
smaller circle regulate the length of throw of the lever D, and consequently the distance
moved by the apron so as to accommodate the apparatus to grain with short straw.
All these motions are accomplished while the pin c is pressing against the transverse
portion of the lever D, but as soon as this is done the movement of the levers D
and D and arm D is reversed (the pawl passing backward over the ratchet E), and
the parts restored to their former positions by the pin c, which passing through
the groove d¹ and coming in contact with the curved end of the lever D, throwing
it over.
The grain having been by the action just described carried from the platform of
the reaper and laid evenly upon the surface of the apron A, the devices which
carry the gavel to the binding apparatus proper, and which are timed to act at
their juncture come into operation as follows:-The pin c on the pinion C¹ imme-
diately after operating upon the rear end of the lever D to restore it, and the parts
connected therewith to their prior positions, comes in contact with the arm f° of
the crank F', which through the bar F2 pushing forward the lower arm f¹ of the
lever F brings the other arm f within the course of the pin c, at the same time
rotating the shaft G and with it the gear G¹ for any given portion of its revolution.
This gear wheel G₁ turns through the other gears the bevels G2, G3, at a higher rate
of speed, these imparting motion to the shaft G4, rotate the shaft H at such speed
that the initial motion given to the gear G¹ will, through the intermediate mechanism,
cause the pitch chain wheels H¹ to revolve sufficiently to cause the grain carrier I
to advance the whole length of the apron, gathering up the grain and forcing it into
the bight of the wire held between the needle arm and the holders.
The operation presently to be described of passing the wire round the sheaf and
fastening it is then performed, the sheaf being meanwhile held in place by the
carrier By this time the revolution of the pinion C' has brought the pin c round
to where the arm f of the crank F lies in its course, and this being struck by the

page_text: pin turns back the arm f¹ and with it the bar F and crank F¹ to their first positions,
thus entirely reversing the previous action and rotating the pinion and with it the
pitch chain wheels H₁, so as to run the carrier I back to the forward end of the
apron A², leaving it clear for the fresh supply of grain, and in this juncture it may
be mentioned that only every alternate or third rake may be arranged to sweep
the platform so as to allow time for the binding to be performed.
The gavel having been as just mentioned pressed by the carrier I up against the
wire held loosely between the end of the needle bar or wire arm N, and the
holders (being retained between the latter by the twisted end remaining from the
sheaf previously bound) enough wire runs off the reel M² to give bight sufficient to
encircle the sheaf. At this moment the revolution of the cam wheel K2 will cause
the arm L to rise in the groove k, thus through the rock shaft L, lever L2, and link L³
pulling down the outer end of the lever L and partially turning the rock shaft M
in that direction, by this means lowering the needle arm N to the position shewn in
dotted lines in Figure 7, the curve described by it in its course being governed by
the double arrangement of its pivotting (i.e., to the curved arm 02 keyed on the rock
shaft M, and by the curved brace O to the projecting arm 0¹) and is such as to keep
the joint close into the gavel and prevent an overplus of wire being drawn off the
reel, and further to obviate any chance of the wire being taken round the carrier
as well as the sheaf, the set I' in the lower bar of the grain carrier also assisting in
this.
The position of the point of the needle at the end of the stroke of the arm N is
such as to bring the wire which has passed round the sheaf into the opening
between the holders Q, where it is at once acted upon by the arm P³ of the lever P
(actuated by the pin C5 pressing against the lug P2) which pushes it in still further,
causing it to enter the slot R2 in the twister R, and the pin C5 then passing through
the groove in the lug P¹ strikes against the lever P, and gives it a positive reverse
motion, actuating the arm P³, which by its cutting edge removes from below the
holder the twisted end of the wire.
The mechanism for revolving the twister is timed to operate at this juncture, the
revolution of the gear wheel T causing the cam T2 to press down the bowspring U,
thus leaving the gear wheel B' (and with it the pinion B³ intermeshing with and
rotating the twister) free to revolve, motion being imparted thereto, first, by the
lug Ts striking against the projection T on the under side of B2, and starting it
(thus avoiding any chance of breaking the gear teeth), the rotary motion being con-
tinued by the segment T¹ which is of such length as to turn the twister R a sufficient
number of times to give a perfect fastening to the wire or cord.
The motion is stopped at the moment when the slot R2 of the twister is exactly
behind the opening S₁ in the frame, and above the space between the holders Q the
wire bound round the sheaf being then by the cutting edge of the lever W severed
from the part held between the holders and close below, the twister leaving a short
piece of the twisted end above the holders, so as to prevent the wire from being
drawn through them when the needle bar rises. This lever W is operated by the
pin T5 pressing on the bend W1, the lever being returned to its normal position by
the action of this pin T3 pressing through the groove Ws and acting on the inner
side of the return piece W2. The sheaf being thus completely bound, the needle
arm N operated by the reverse movement of the parts actuating it rises, leaving as
before the length of wire between its point and the holders.
The several operations just described are now repeated in the foregoing order, each
sheaf being pushed toward the rear of the machine (and out over ways which may be
provided for it at the back) by the one following it.
What I claim is as follows:-
First. In a low level grain binder the combination with the binding apparatus
proper of an endless belt or apron operated automatically by positive lever motion
(to be moved intermittently in a direction parallel or coinciding with the length of
the gavel as it lies upon the belt) and taking the grain from the delivery platform,
substantially as set forth,

page_text: Second. In combination with a lever acted upon positively and automatically to
give through a pivotted pawl and ratchet gear wheel motion to the gears and rollers
working the apron A³, a lever controlled by the driver and operating to vary the
throw of the actuating lever, and thus diminish or increase the distance travelled by
the apron, all substantially as herein set forth.
Third. In an automatic grain binder, the combination with the travelling
belt or apron of a grain carrier traversing it at right angles back and forth, and
operated in either direction by a positive lever motion, substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
Fourth. The grain carrier I with set I' formed on its lower bar and toes I² pro-
jecting from the prongs, as and for the purposes set forth.
Fifth. The combination of the cam wheel K² constructed as shown, lever L³
operated by same link L³, arm L, and rock shaft M, substantially as and for the
purpose herein set forth.
Sixth. In a low level automatic grain binder the combination with the twister of
jaws or holders placed below it, to which the binding wire is brought by the needle
arm, and into which the wire is pressed by one end of a forked lever P operated
positively in either direction by a lug mounted on a revolving disc, the other end to
cut off the twisted end of the wire after the sheaf is bound, all substantially as
herein set forth.
Seventh. The combination with the groove gear wheel B³, through which motion
is imparted to the twister of spring U holding the latter stationary, provided with
lug U fitting into wheel B, and lug U acted upon by cam T2, mounted on and
revolving with shaft K, all constructed substantially in the manner set forth and for
the purposes described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Sydney Pitt, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Tenth day of August, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-eight
SYDNEY PITT. (L.S.)