Improvements in Mowing and Reaping Machines.
Year: 1885

page_text: Improvements in Mowing and Reaping Machines.
We JAMES HORNSBY and JOHN INNOCENT both of Spittlegate Iron Works
Grantham Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of our invention for IMPROVE
MENTS IN MOWING AND REAPING MACHINES to be as follows:-
-.:
The object of the first part of our invention is to give a better locking
arrangement to the cutter bar of a mowing machine so that it may be lifted clear
of the ground when not in work The cutter bar is connected to the main frame
by an extension bar which is hinged to the main frame of the machine at the side
next the crank spindle. To the other end of this extension bar is hinged the slade
to which the cutting apparatus is fixed. On this slade joint pin is mounted an
L shaped lever-the lower end of this lever rests upon the heel of the slade which
extends beyond the hinge The other end of the lever stands upwards Attached
to the upper end of this lever by a joint pin are two short bars and a hook shaped
lever connected to the lifting chain is jointed to these two bars. When the chain
is lifted this hook presses against a fixed bar on the extension bar and locking the
cutter bar with the extension bar, lifts them both at the same time.
Another part of our invention relates to the reel for gathering the crop to the
cutters. This reel is mounted upon the pole. On the upper side of this pole we
mount a bracket which is bolted fast to the pole-jointed to this bracket is an
upright frame the top end of which is free to move backwards or forwards and
may be locked in position by a spring bolt to the bracket attached to the pole.
To the top of the upright frame is jointed a frame that carries the reel and
having bearings in which the reel spindle revolves. This frame with the reel may
be raised or lowered by a worm and quadrant to suit the height of the crop
being cut.
By preference we transmit motion to the reel by a drive chain, one chain wheel
being mounted on the main wheel axle at that end of the axle furthest from the
crop being cut so that the reel axle extends across the main frame of the machine.
Another chain wheel is fixed on the end of the reel axle.
The reel axle carries a short frame which is jointed to a bar whose opposite end
is jointed on the main wheel axle, the reel being driven by one chain from the
main wheel axle to the joint above mentioned; and by another chain from the
joint to the reel axle, thus allowing the reel to be moved back or forwards, up or
down as may be required. In place of chains any convenient form of gear may be
used to drive the reel.

page_text: We JAMES HORNSBY & JOHN INNOCENT of Grantham Lincolnshire Engineers
do hereby declare the nature of our invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN MOWING &
REAPING MACHINES and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in' and' by the following statement:-
Our invention is illustrated by the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is
a plán view of a mowing machine to which is attached our improved locking
arrangement for the finger bar. Fig. 2 is a plan view of our locking arrangement
enlarged. Fig. 3 shows a front elevation partly in' section of the locking arrange-
ment, Fig. 4. is a perspective view of the improved method of mounting and
driving the reel of a reaping machine.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the
drawings.
In Fig. 1 A. A. are the main or driving wheels B is the box containing the drive
gear. C is the main or gear frame C¹ is the crank plate and D shows a part
of the connecting rod to drive the knife E is the lever for lifting the cutting
apparatus by the chain E¹.
In the machine shown the extension bar F is hinged at F and is also hinged to
the slade at F so that the machine may be set to cut at the height required
without the height of the front end of the main or gear frame C being altered.
We would have it understood that our locking arrangement is equally applicable
to other types of mower main frames and not to this type of main frame only.
The chain E is attached to a lever G this is seen best at Fig. 3. the 'hook on G
coming in contact with a 'fixed part G. Two links H are attached to the lever G
by a joint pin H' and to the lever I by another joint pin H. By preference the
lever I is mounted on the joint pin F but it may be mounted on any convenient
part of the machine.
This part of our invention is capable of modification without altering the
principle. In place of the two links Ħ and the lever G the chain E¹ may extend
under the part G and be connected with the lever I at H' the chain having links
of suitable lengths to act as levers and connections in the place of those shown at G
and H. The finger bar J is made fast with the slade J and is hinged to the bar F
at the joint pin F. It will be seen that the end of the finger bar furthest from
the slade may rise or fall considerably to suit the inequality of the land before
the heel of the slade J' came into contact with the heel of the lever I when it is.
desired to lift the finger bar. By the lever E the chain E' is lifted to the position
shown by the dotted lines at Fig. 3 bringing the lower part of the lever I on to the
heels of the slade J thus locking the finger bar J in an horizontal position in
which position it may be lifted by the chain E' to the height desired.
$
Another part of our invention shown at Fig. 4 relates to the reel for gathering
the crop to the cutters, this reel we mount upon the pole. By preference we mount
a bracket K on the top of the pole L fastening the bracket K in position by any
convenient means the method we show allows of the reel being fixed on the pole
any position desired to the bracket K we hinge a reel support M the upper part
of which is capable of adjustment back or forwards or may be locked in position
by the spring bolt N in suitable notches in the bracket K the locking bolt N may
be operated by the rod N1 and the lever N°. To the upper part of the support M
in
(

page_text: is jointed the frame that carries the reel by preference we make this in two parts
the part O forming a joint in the upper part of M and passing through is made
fast to a socket O in the arm P. The lower part of the arm P is formed into a
toothed quadrant and is operated by a worm Q and axle mounted on the upper
part of the support M. the worm being operated by the handle R so that by
turning the handle either one way or the other it raises or lowers the reel as may
be desired. The reel by preference is mounted on a tube axle S which is carried
by bearings S and S₁. By preference we drive the reel by two chains. One
chain wheel T being made fast to the reel axle. Another chain wheel T¹ being
mounted loose on the end of the main axle. On the main axle between the
wheel T and the main wheel A we fix a disc with ratchet teeth on the side of the
disc which forms a driver for the chain wheel T¹. A spring bolt U is mounted in
the chain wheel T¹ this bolt U forms a driver for the reel. A cam U¹ puts the
chain wheel T¹ into or out of gear with the driving ratchet. By turning the
cam U¹ one way a spring in the box U' thrust the bolt U forward and causes it to
engage with the driving ratchet and so drive the reel. To stop the reel working
the cam U must be turned the contrary way this will cause the bolt U to be
withdrawn clear of the driving ratchet so that the driving ratchet and main axle
continue to revolve while the wheel T¹ which is mounted loose on the main axle
does not revolve.
By preference we drive the reel by two separate chains V and V₁. A bracket W
is mounted loose on the axle S the chain wheel T is mounted between the two
sides of the bracket W. A double chain wheel X is mounted on a fixed pin X¹
carried by the two sides of the bracket W. Y is an extension or distance piece
one end pivotted on the main axle the other end is pivotted on the pin X' by a
bracket Z the bracket Z is slotted at the bolt holes so as to allow for taking sup the
wear of the drive chain V We do not confirm ourselves to this method of driving
by chains as gearing and a telescopic drive rod or other well known means may be
used in place of chains. Also the support M may be modified as the sides of the
support M may come down on each side of the pole aud a joint bolt through the
pole and the bracket M fixed in position by a stay.
Having thus described the nature of our invention and, the manner of performing
the same we would have it understood that we claim―
First. In a mowing or harvesting machine the combination of mechanism or
parts to allow the finger bar J and knives to work at the various angles required.
But when they are lifted the finger bar aud knives shall be in an horizontal
position or nearly so, as shewn and described with reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3
of the drawings.
Second. In a harvesting macbine carrying the reel by adjustable brackets
mounted on the pole.
Third. In a harvesting machine carrying the reel by adjustable brackets
mounted upon the pole, and extending the reel axle beyond its supports that
it may be operated from that side of the machine, furthest from the reel as shewn
and described with reference to Fig. 4 of the drawings.
Fourth. In a harvesting machine mounting, adjusting and driving the reel
as shewn and described with reference to Fig. 4 of the drawings.