AN IMPROVED DIBBLING MACHINE FOR PLANTING SEED OR GRAIN
Year: 1845

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
WEATHERSTONE, of Cassington, in the County of Oxford, Yeoman, send:
greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Twentieth day of February, (One thousand eight hundred
and forty-five), in the eighth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs
and successors, give and grant unto me, the said John Weatherstone, my
exors, admors, and assigns, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege and
authority, that I, the said John Weatherstone, my exors, adiñors, and assigns,
and such others as I, the said John Weatherstone, my exors, adiñiors, and
assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and
at all times thereafter, during the term of years therein expressed, should and
lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the
Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, in the Islands of Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney,
Sark, and Man, and also in all Her Majesty's Colonies and Plantations.
abroad, my Invention of "AN IMPROVED DIBBLING MACHINE FOR PLANTING
SEED OR GRAIN;" in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso obliging
me, the said John Weatherstone, to particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, and to cause the same
to be inrolled in Her Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said in part recited Letters

page_text: Patent, as in and by the same, reference being thereto had, will more fully
and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
John Weatherstone, do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention, and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be fully described and set
forth in and by the following statement and Specification thereof, reference
being had to the accompanying Drawings, (which Drawings I declare to
belong to and to form part of such Specification), by the letters and numeral
figures marked thereon for the purpose of such reference, that is to say :-
The nature of my said Invention consists in, and has reference to, an
improved construction of a dibbling machine, in which the different stages
of the operations of planting seed or grain in agricultural operations are more
effeciently combined than hitherto the same has been done; and I declare
the manner in which the same is to be performed or carried into practical
effect to be as follows:-
The Drawings which are respectively marked No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 4
No. 5, represent in different Figures, and in different points of view, the
modified constructions and combinations under which I perform the same.
In the Drawing No. 1, the Figure 1 shews a front view or elevation of the
operative portion of a dibbling machine, constructed on the first method by
which I carry my said Invention into effect. A, A, B, B, represents a
portion of a compound circular disc or wheel, any required number of which
are set upon an axle, which, being common to them all, produces the simul-
taneous action of such discs by its progressive advance, whilst the same
progressive advance, by the mechanical arrangements shewn in the Figures
1 and 2, and herein-after more fully described, produces the action and regulates
the motion of the several parts of the machine by which the seed or grain to
be planted is delivered to the machine, and gradually distributed and placed
in the ground. In the Figure 1 the upper portion A, A, shews the disc in
its external appearance; its lower portion B, B, shews the disc as it appears
when a portion of its external covering S, S, is removed to expose the
internal mechanism by which the discs or wheels A, A, B, B, perform the
operation of dibbling. The projecting pieces marked C are the dibbers,
which penetrate the ground in succession with the progressive advance of the
whole machine, and each, on its arriving at a point directly under the centre
of its disc, deposits the seed or grain to be planted, such seed or grain being
first supplied to each of the spaces marked D in the upper portion of each
of the pieces C. The pieces C are hollow, and such hollows extends to and
include the spaces D. The lower termination e of each piece C is closed by

page_text: a moveable, plug E. On the arrival of each of the pieces Cat, the portion
in which, as, already stated, it is required to.. deposit the seed, the, plug E of
such piece is. drawn upwards, so as to open the lower extremity c.and.to
permit the seed contained in the space D. to fall therefrom into the hole
(then already and immediately before made by the picce C in its closed, state;
and on such deposit of the seed the picce E descends to its former position,
thrusting the seed through the passage; and these movements are repeated
in succession by cach of the pieces C. as they.. respectively arrive at the
position directly under the centre of the disc, as before mentioned... The
opened state of the pieces C, as here described, is shewn in the Drawing in
one of those pieces (where the plug is shewn in its withdrawn position at
X, X).. The remaining pieces are shewn in their closed state. The plugs E
are lifted from their lower or closing position by the action of a sector rack F,
set: near the upper extremity of each on a centre pin f, and gearing into a
straight rack e, formed on the upper extremity of cach of the plugs.. The
sector racks F are thrown into this action upon the staight racks ein
succession by a projecting stud R, which is fixed on a concentric and central
circular disc T, T, which is set at its centre H upon the square portion of
the common axle of the series of discs as before mentioned. It occupies the
central portion of the reverse side or face T, T, shewn at Figure 2, and keyed
upon the axle. Z, independently of the face S, S, S, of the disc shewn at
Figure 1, which said disc or face, as herein-before stated, receives its circular
and progressive motion from and by the progressive advance of the machine
by the dibbles. taking the ground. The, axle Z, on which the circular
faco T, T, T, is set also carries in a sunken passage V, V, of the disc, a.
pinion H,. which, through the agency of the intermediate wheel I, drives.
the wheel K on the reverse end of the spindle of the.latter; and on the
hinder side of the disc T, T, there, is fixed a seed delivery.wheel L (shewn in
the Figure 2, which is a view of the reverse side of the Figure. 1). In this
Figure M shews a passage leading from a hopper, by which seed. is continually
held in supply, to L, and this latter kept in action, as herein-above described,
by the pinion H on. the axle Z.of the machine, and the wheels I and K will
deliver seed under the action of the strike. brush m to the spaces D in succession.
as already herein-before described, and thus in succession to the dibble Cas
aforesaid. On the inner face of the circular disc T, T, (shown in Figures1 of
Drawing No. 1) is fixed a segmental circular bar which leaves a supplemental,
blank portion G', G², open, and the piece R, before described as operating the
action of the sector, racks F to, elevate the plugs E, being situated in the
midway of the said open portion from G to G, the operation of the forward

page_text: motion of the dibble face will bring the exremity G of the segmental bar into
contact with the projecting shoulder f* of each sector rack, and so throw them
in succession back to the closed position, from which they are successively one
at a time removed by the action of the piece R, and thus close the lower
extremity. c of cach dibble C in the same succession immediately after its
delivery of the sced it carried. The ultimate effect of this construction and
action is as follows:-The face of the disc or wheel bearing the sector
racks F, F, &c., as represented in the Figure 1 of the Drawing No.. 1, is set
upon the cylindrical portion of the axle Z, and has free motion thereon, and
the central portion T, T, is set upon the square portion Z' of the axle. The
axle is connected to the draught frame or carriage of the machine, and the
central portion T, T, therefore advances with the axle without any rotatory
motion of its own. As this portion advances, the face bearing the sector racks
takes the ground by the projecting dibbles C; C, C, set on its periphery,. and
thus is compelled to perform a progressive. and a rotatory motion, the
dibbles C, C, C, &c., penetrating the ground in succession. The advance of
the face bearing the sector racks and the dibbles, as herein-before described,
brings the sector racks successively into the action already described against
the piece R and the segmental arch piece G, G, G, and thus producing
the opening and closing of each dibble as it comes to its position in its
succession operates the deposition of the seed in the holes inade by the dibbles;
the seed for such supply being at the same time thrown into its recep-
tacles. D, D, D, &c., by the action of the train of wheels H, I, K, derived
from the axle, as before described. The Figure 3 shews a transverse vertical
section of the Figures 1 and 2, the several parts of the section being respec-
tively marked with the same letters of reference as in the Figures 1.and 2.
In the Drawing No. 2, the Figure 1 shews a modification of the dibble
wheel, described in the Drawing No. 1. A, A, B, B, shews the dibble wheel,
having a portion of its external covering removed to shew its internal acting
parts. In this modification the dibble wheel, as shown in the Figure 1, is
substituted for the moveable portion of the dibble-wheel shewn in the Figure 1
of the Drawing No. 1, the other portions of the dibble wheel remaining as
shown in that Figure. C, C, C, &c., are the dibbles themselves; D, D, D, &c.,
.are the receiving spaces or receptacles for the seed delivered to the wheel by
the seed vessel or hopper, to be deposited by the hollow dibble C. In each
of such dibbles a plug or rod, E, E*, passes through its length, effecting the
double purpose of thrusting the seed through and out of the dibble, as in the
case of the dibble before described, and also that of previously opening the
lower termination of the dibble to admit of its passage therefrom.. The

page_text: pinion H performs the same operation as the pinion so marked in the
Figure 1 of the Drawing No. 1. The sectoral pieces or cams F, F, F, &c.,
shewn in the Figure 1 of the Drawing No. 2, are actuated and perform the
office of driving down the plugs or rods E in the same manner as the sector
racks in the Figure 1 of the Drawing No. 1. The plugs E (in the Figure 1
of the Drawing No. 2) have an indentation formed in them, as shewn in the
-detached Figure 1 at a, and the sectoral pieces F have each one tooth shewn
at g, which is always engaged in the indentation of the plug or rod E;
and the vibration of the sectoral piece F, on its centre of, motion y, will
therefore govern and regulate the depression and elevation of the said plug.
The plug by such elevation and depression operates the opening and closing
of the lower termination of the hollow dibble in the following manner-The
plug E, E, has a notch or indentation formed in one of its edges at e, the
slope side of which, at the point f, falls into the full width of the plug. The
indentation e, f, and slope side acts againgst the concave curve of the
lever h, k, which is hung on a centre pin. i. When the plug is thrust
downward by the action of the sectoral piece F, the lower extremity of the
lever is thrust out, and the. hollow dibble is thus laid open to, allow the seed
to escape. When the plug is again drawn upwards, the part f of the plug acts
upon the convave portion fh, of the lever h, k, which, resting on its centre
pin i, will be returned to its original position,, and the hollow dibble will be
closed; and the same operation will be repeated upon each dibble in succession
with the progressive motion of the dibble wheel. The Figuro 3 shows
another modification of the. hollow delivering dibble. A, A, shews the body
of the dibble shod with iron or wholly made of the same; B, B, is a fixed
iron plate: forming one side of the dibble; C, C, is a moveable iron platę,
having its motion on a centre pin c; D is the foot of a plug or plunger,
which is constructed, as shown in the Figure, with projecting pieces or
detents E, E, and has a vertical motion with a moderate pressure .between
a fixed bar L, L, and the moveable plate c, C; G. is a metal stud and
friction roller, fixed on the plug before mentioned; and I, H, is a radial bar,
having motion on the axle of the dibble wheel, the circular and progressive
motion of which causes the extremity I of the bar to press upon the friction
roller and stud G fixed upon the plug, such pressure producing its depression,
and the action of the detents E, E, upon the curved edges of the moveable
iron plate c, C, on its centre pin c, and so laying the lower point of the dibble
open. When the bar I, H, has performed its required operation, as described,
and has moved past the stud G of the plug, the plug is returned to its original
position, and then the dibble closed by the upward motion of a helical
spring M, tlie upper extremity of which is fixed to any convenient part of

page_text: the wheel, and the lower extremity attached to the upper extremity of the
plug at m. The Figure 3 shews this modification when the dibble is in a
closed state, and the Figure 4 when it is in its opened state, by the
operation of the several parts, as above described. N in both these Figures
is a fixed piece or stop by which the action of the plug E, E, D, is regulated;
K is a holding strap for the same. The Figure 2 shews a profile view of
the Figuré 1. The same letters of reference in the Figures 1 and 2 are
set upon the same or corresponding parts respectively. In like manner the
same letters of reference in the Figures 3 and 4 are set upon the same or
corresponding parts respectively.
In the Drawing No. 3 the Figures 1, 2, 3, 3, 4, 5, 6, shew several views
of another modification of the dibble for planting seed or grain. The Figure 1
represents a side elevation thereof, a portion of one side of the same being
removed to shew the internal construction and arrangement of some of the
'parts. The Figure 2 represents a side elevation of the same complete. The
Figure 3 is a vertical section taken through the line A, B, of the Figures 1, 2,
and 4. The Figure 4 is a view of the apparatus looking on it from its upper
side; similar letters of reference are placed upon corresponding parts in all the
Figures, in so far as the several parts can be seen respectively in each of such
Figures. A, A, marks' a ring of wood or other suitable material, the con-
struction of which will be better explained by reference to the Figures 1 and 3.
B, B, mark the inner and C the outer peripheries of the said ring, from the
points 1, 1, of which to 2, 2, the ring is formed of a converging shape, as
shown at the Figure 3. The bevilled side A of the said ring is shod or covered
with a circular disc of metal D, D, and the bevilled side B is shod or covered
at intervals with pieces of metal E, E, as shewn at the Figure 2. Upon
each of these bevilled sides radial grooves or channels F, F, are formed, and
terminate in openings or channels H, H, which are situated midway or nearly
so between the grooved sides A, B. The channels F, F, are passages for the
'fall of seed or grain, and the channels F, F, receive the spring plates G, G,
which are shewn at the Figures 2 and 3 attached to the ring A, A, by screws,
and for the purposes herein-after explained. I, I, mark slides or plungers,
'fitting loosely in the openings or channels H; H. One of these slides or
plungers is shewn at the detached Figure 5, which exhibits a side and front
view thereof, the construction being as follows:-The front side C, at its upper
part, forms a spring; its lower part is bent or formed with a foot a, of
corresponding size to the opening E, in which it slides. It should here be
observed that the mechanical arrangements employed to actuate these slides or
plungers, as also the arrangement and disposition of the parts employed to
convey seed or grain to the ground from the hopper, being in all respects

page_text: similar to the arrangements herein-before. described in, the Drawings Nos. 1
and 2, and represented by the several Figures thereof, they are referred to by
corresponding letters of reference being placed upon the several parts.. The
operations of this machine are as follows:-Rotary motion being given to the
disc. or ring A has the effect of imbedding. it in the ground, the apparatus
being sufficiently weighted for that purpose; or, in cases, where the land is.
stony; I construct the ring A with indentations around its periphery, as shewn
at the Figure 6.. A trench (by the arrangement shewn in the Figures 1, 2, 3, 4),
or dibble holes (by the arrangements of the Figure 6), being thus formed, the
seed or grain. is deposited therein in the following manner:-Assuming the
seed or grain to have passed from the hopper down the groove or channel F,
by giving motion. to the slides I in a downward direction, the foot a of the said
slide will be brought against the inner inclined surface of the circular.disc D.
The clasticity of the spring will admit of its passing down such inclined surface,
and at the same time the opposite end of the foot a will push the spring plate
G outwards, by which the seed or grain will be at liberty.to fall into, the
trench, its escape from the machine béing secured by the operation of the slide
or plunger H. The Figure 3* shows another mode, of constructing and
arranging the spring plates G, by mounting the said plates upon the fulcra K,
and by attaching springs L to the ring A, as shewn in the Figure.
The Drawing No.: 4 shews the construction and arrangement of an
improved method of planting. seed or grain, in which the, déposition of the
requisite manure is performed simultaneously with the operation of planting
the seed or grain. In the Figure 1, B, B, shews one of the side frames of the
implement I construct for this purpose. A, A, A, is one of a pair of supporting
wheels to or upon which the machine is; suspended, C, D, is a corn box or
delivery hopper for seed or grain, which is deposited by the delivery pipe E in
ground previously prepared and opened by coulters or suitable arrangements of
the well known descriptions... D is the mouth of the receiving hopper.. F is a
hopper in which thic. manure is placed, suitable portions of which can be
delivered by its delivery pipe G... II, H; is a wheel furnished on its periphery
with radial teeth or projecting blocks h, h, h, &c. On the face of the wheel
H, II, is fixed a spur wheel I, which gears with a second wheel K. The
wheel K drives a. smaller wheel M, set upon the manure. hopper F, and the
action of which operates the delivery of the manure as aforesaid. The wheel K
also drives the wheel.L, which is set upon the corn box, and operates the
delivery of. the seed or grain contained therein in the requisite quantities by
the delivery pipe. E as aforesaid. The wheels: H and I,. K and L, have
their spindles placed upon and supported. in the bars O, P, which are
suspended to the framework B, B, before.mentioned..-1 usually place five sets

page_text: of such arrangements (as that thus shewn, in front clevation in the Figure 1)
side by side, and parallel to each other on an axle common to them all, and
place the whole of such combination in the general supporting frame B, B,
moving upon the carriage wheels A, A, A, A, as it is shown in a front view of
the whole arrangement in the Figure 2. The Figure 3 shews the manure
box F, and the corn box C of the Figure 1 in vertical section, to exhibit their
interior construction. In the manure box Q exhibits a delivery wheel, having
small cups or recesses q, q, q, &c., formed on its periphery, each of which takes
up the quantity of manure necessary to be delivered at one time to the
discharge pipe G, and so to the ground. The spring R clears each cup g. 9,
of the manure. contained in them as they successively arrive at the point
immediately, over the month of the discharge pipe G. In the corn box C a
wheel X is set on the spindle a. of the box; and has small cups or recesses
d,d; d, formed upon its periphery, by which the seed or grain supplied by the
hopper D is conveyedito and: delivered to the entrance or mouth of the corn
delivering pipe E. Figure 4 shews a view of the Figure 3, as seen from its
upper side. In the Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, of the Drawing No. 4, the several
parts of cach Figure are marked with the same letters of reference, in so far
as such parts can be seen in each of such Figures.
The Drawing No. 5 shews another modification of a construction of
apparatus, by which manure. and seeds or grain. are planted simultaneously.
The Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of the machine. A, A, is one side of
a framing in which it is placed and supported. B. is a manure, box or hopper,
of: which C is the mouth of the delivery pipe, and D an outlet valve by which
the delivery of the manure is regulated through the operation of the acting
wheels of the machine. E, E, is a wheel hung upon a spindle S, which
passes through and is carried by the framing A, A. F, F, F, &c., are radial
teeth or projecting pieces formed on thic periphery of the wheel E, E, for the
purpose of forming indentations or holes in the ground for the reception of the
manure and seed or grain therein. On the same frame, and behind the manure
box B, is set a second wheel H, H, similar to the wheel E, E, having radial
teeth or projecting pieces I, I, I, as the wheel E, E. K is a corn box of
which L is the mouth of its delivery pipe, to which seed or grain is furnished
by an outlet valve M. The parallel bars of connection G and G connect the
wheels E, E, and H; H, by crank arms G¹ and G', and produce their
simultaneous action. The Figure 2 shews the outlet valve M, drawn to a
larger scale than in the Figure 1; and the Figure 3 shews the outlet valve D,
drawn to a larger scale than in the Figure 1. The action of the machine is as
follows: The wheels H, H, and E, E, move progressively and simultaneously
in the direction of the arrows R, R. The wheel E, E, in its progress forms

page_text: holes for the reception of manure, and the manure box B deposits manuro by
by its delivery pipe C to the ground by the downward action of the teeth I, I,
&c., of the wheel H, H, upon the catch X, which then opens the outlet valve
D, and allows the manure to descend. The same wheel H, H, by its upward
action on its other side, opens the outlet valve M of the corn box K. The
teeth I, I, &c., of the wheel H, H, then press the manure into the ground,
and the delivery pipe L deposits the seed or grain in the holes so previously
formed and supplied with manure.
Having now described the nature and intention of my said Invention, and
also in what manner the same is to be ascertained and performed, I now declare
that I do not claim as of my Invention therein the construction of such of the
component parts herein-before described as are in known and common use in
the ordinary constructions of agricultural implements, as taken and considered
separately and by themselves. But what I do claim as of my Invention
herein are the particular modes of arrangement, and the combinations of
parts, together with the principles of construction upon, and according to
which such particular modes of arrangement and such particular combina-
tions of parts are made, and by which the same are carried into practical
effect, such modes of arrangement, combinations of parts, and principles of
construction, being in the manner as I have herein-before specified, described,
and set them forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Weatherstone, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twentieth day of August, in the year of our Lord
JOHN WEATHERSTONE. (L.S.)
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Twentieth day of August, in the
year of our Lord 1845, the aforesaid John Weatherstone came before our
said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification
aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form
above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according
to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Enrolled the Twentieth day of August, in the year of our Lord, One
thousand eight hundred and forty-five.