IMPROVEMENTS IN LAWN MOWERS
Year: 1885

page_text: 0
I HENRY ABBOTT of the firm of Lotz, Abbott & Co. of 66 Queen Street, Cannon
Street in the City of London, Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of the said
invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN LAWN MOWERS a communication to me from
abroad by Samuel A. Haines and Company of Chambers Street in the City,
County and State of New York, in the United States of America to be as
follows:-
The object of the invention is to provide an improved lawn mower; and to this
end it consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of parts, as
hereinafter described.
A plate forms one side of the frame of the machine.
The front portion of this plate is disc shaped.
A cross bar serves to connect the side plate with the other side of the frame,
being rigidly attached at its ends to the sides. Cast on the outer side of the disc
plate, at the centre thereof, is a hollow cylindrical projection, which is the axle
upon which is journaled the drive wheel. This wheel, is dish shaped, being open
on its inner side. When the wheel is in place on its axle, the disc plate fits within
and closes the inner side of it. Said wheel is formed with a hub which extends
inwards and fits upon and around the rigid axle. Upon this bub is journalled an
internally geared wheel the teeth of which mesh with a pinion screwed on the
end of the revolving cutter shaft. This shaft, where it passes through the disc
plate in the rear of the drive wheel axle, is journalled in a bearing consisting of a
lower rigid half bearing and an upper moveable half, extending through the disc
plate.
On the inner side of the plate the moveable half bearing is provided on its
forward side with an arm extending downward. Against the lower end of this
arm bears a screw working in a lug on the plate. Another screw also working in
a lug on the plate, bears down against the upper side of the half bearing at a point
over the shaft opening in the bearing.

page_text: The drive wheel is held upon its hollow axle by means of a bolt passing through
the latter, and a disc or washer on the outer end of the bolt, held thereon and
forced against the end of the axle by means of a nut.
This disc is provided on its inner face with radial ribs which fit into and engage
the radial grooves or notches in the end of the axle, when the disc is forced home
by the nut on the screw threaded end of the bolt. The disc, which is thus
prevented from turning, overlaps the central portion of the outer face of the drive
wheel around the axle, and holds said wheel in place on the latter, while allowing
it to turn freely thereon.
Between the drive wheel and the internal gear wheel, journalled on its hub,
there is a pawl and ratchet connection, which insures the turning together of the
two wheels when the drive wheel is rotating as in the forward motion of the
machine, but allows the drive wheel to turn backward freely and independently of
the other.
The drive wheel is provided on its inner face with an annular groove or way,
the outer edge of which is provided with a series of recesses having inclined sides.
One set of inclines are on the rear sides of the recesses with reference to the
direction of rotation of the wheel as the machine is moved forward. The other
inclines are on the other or front sides of the recesses, and are shorter and inclined
at more of an angle than the first. The inclined sides of the recesses do not meet
at the outer extremities or bottoms of said recesses; but the bottom of each recess
is, for a short distance, formed with a face tangential to a circle described from the
centre of the wheel. The extent of this straight or slightly curved surface is a little
greater than the width of one of the sliding pins or pawls, to be hereinafter
described.
The inner wall of the way around the hub of the wheel is formed with ratchet
teeth or projections the straight and radial faces of which are on lines not radial
but parallel to radial lines and striking the short inclines at or about their middle
points.
On the outer face of the internal gear wheel situated diametrically opposite each
other, are the ways, each formed by two parallel lugs having passages between
them. These passages are not in a line with each other, but extend in a direction
parallel to but on opposite sides of a line through the centre of the wheel. In
these passages or ways slide reciprocating pawls consisting of short bars, preferably
square in cross section and having the edges of their ends slightly rounded.
With the ways situated and extending in the direction as described, the sides of
the inner ends of the pawls, as the engage the square faces of the ratchet teeth are
parallel to and strike squarely against them.
As the drive wheel turns backward the pawls will ride over the inclined faces
of the teeth and recesses, reciprocating in and out. The pawls are of such length
that they will as they are situated just pass between the opposite sides of the
groove or way in the wheel. With this arrangement, construction and operation,
if the wheel be turned forward, as in the forward motion of the machine, the
inclines on the outer side of the groove or way will throw the pawls both inward,
60 that their inner ends will engage the ratchet teeth around the centre of the
wheel on the inner side of the way.
In the outer side of the drive wheel an opening is provided. This is intended
to allow the insertion of a pin or projection on a wrench when it is desired to turn
the cutter shaft backward in sharpening the cutter blades.
The pin when inserted will, as the drive wheel is rotated, strike against the lug
forming the side of one of the pawl ways, and the drive wheel and internal gear
can then be rotated together without reference to the action of the pawls.
Heretofore, when it has been desired to turn the cutter shaft backward to clean
and sharpen the knives, it has been necessary either to remove the drive wheel,
disconnect some of the gearing, or apply a turning device to some portion of the
intermediate gearing between the drive wheel and cutter shaft. In no machine,
as constructed heretofore, in which a backing ratchet or clutch has been used has

page_text: it been possible to turn the cutter shaft backward by a reversed movement of the
drive wheel itself without change in the gearing.
From its position in the wheel side, the opening besides serving the purpose
above described, also affords means of access to the pawls and ways for oiling the
same,
As indicated herein before, the frame of the machine is formed of the side plate
of the form described, and the outer side plate or frame rigidly connected together
by the cross bar. This frame is supported at its forward end on one side by the
drive wheel journalled on the rigid projection from the disc portion of the disc
plate, and on the other side by the bearing wheel corresponding to the grain
wheel of a harvester, which is journalled upon an axle attached to the frame
plate.
This plate is, at its forward end, cast with a cup shaped part, opening toward
the outer side thereof. The inner side or bottom of this cup is provided with a
central opening around which is a short flange. A bushing or short hollow axle
is held in place, with its inner end pressed against the bottom of the cup and
surrounding the flange by a bolt passing through the bushing or axle and the
opening in the outer side plate and provided with a washer or disc bearing against
the outer end of the hollow axle and overlapping it. Upon this axle, between this
washer and the bottom of the cup is journalled the bearing wheel.
The sides of the cup extend over the hub of the wheel, so as to prevent grass or
dirt getting in between the inner end of the hub and the bottom face of the cup.
As the frame is thus supported at its forward end it is free to rise and fall with
any unevenness in the ground, swinging from the axles of the wheels as centres.
The machine is then what is known as a rear cut" machine,—that is, the cutting
apparatus, supported and journalled in the frame, is in the rear of the axle of the
driving and supporting wheels.
The advantages of such a construction, especially where a handle pivotted to
have some up and down play is used, are well known and need not be set forth
here.
The outer end of the cutter shaft is journalled in a bearing on the upper edge
or top of the side plate.
The upper portion of the journal bearing is made removeable and adjustable to
take up wear by means of screws. The extreme end of the shaft beyond this
bearing is formed with flange preventing inward movement of the shaft through
its bearings.
Upon the cutter shaft is the spiral cutter, the blades of which cut against the
stationary straight edged cutter blade, screwed or otherwise fastened to the bottom
face of a bar extending across from side to side of the machine. This bar is to the
rear of as well as below the cutter shaft.
The cutter blade extends forward beyond the edge of the bar, so as to be just in
the rear of a vertical plane through the spiral cutter shaft.
The bar is at each end pivotted to the sides of the frame by pivot studs entering
pivot holes in the frame plates.
From the stationary cutter bar extend upward, at substantially right angles to
the plane of the cutter blade, rigid arms, each of which is engaged on opposite
sides by the ends of adjusting screws, tapped through lugs cast on the frame plates.
By means of these screws the bar can be rocked and adjusted on its pivot studs,
so as to bring the edge of the cutter nearer to or farther from the revolving cutters.
The sides of the frame are cast with curved guard flanges to prevent the grass
from getting between the ends of the revolving or fixed cutters and the frame
plates. These flanges are shaped with their inwardly inclined edges, will guide
any blades of glass coming in contact with them inward, so that they will come in
the path of the cutters.
The rear end of the frame supported upon a roller extending from side to side
between the rear ends of the frame sides just behind the stationary cutter bar.

page_text: The ends of the roller shaft are journalled in bearings in the lower ends of
slotted bars. These bars are on their outer faces serrated. The inner sides of the
rear ends of the frame are provided with grooves in which these bars fit, the
bottoms or inner faces of which grooves are formed with teeth or projections
adapted to engage opposite notches on the slotted bars. Bolts pass through the
slots in the bars and through openings in the ends of the frame between the teeth
on the inner faces of the groove, and serve to clamp the serrated outer sides of the
bars firmly against the inner faces or bottoms of the grooves.
By these means the roller bearings can be adjusted up or down and fixed as
desired according as the cut is to be made close or not.
The plate or arm to which the handle is attached is pivotted to the inner face of
disc plate above and to the rear of the centre of such disc plate or the point at
which is situated the driving wheel axle upon which the frame is supported. The
rear end of this attaching plate is provided with means for attaching a metal or
wooden handle to it. This plate is pivotted upon a hollow projection or stud cast
on the disc plate. It is kept in place on this stud by means of a bolt passing
through the disc plate and stud, and carrying a washer and a nut, by which the
washer is forced and held against the end of the stud.
This washer is larger than the end of the stud and extends on all sides beyond
it, overlapping a portion of the handle plate. Said plate can then by this means
be held in place on its pivot stud, while being left free to turn or rock thereon.
An annular flange, on the inner face of the plate surrounds this washer and
extends inwards over it, thus protecting the pivotal bearing of the plate from dust
and dirt, which otherwise would be apt to get in between the washer and plate.
The end of the handle-plate in front of the pivotal point thereof has, below,
a forwardly projecting portion which on its upper side is notched to form a series
of three steps extending from the front end of the projection rearward and
upward.
.
The end of the plate is formed with an upper projection shorter than that
already described. Above and to the rear of this projection is a stop or shoulder.
The lower face of said projection is inclined upward from its forward edge toward
the rear and the upper face of the third step is inclined in the opposite direction.
In front of the handle attaching arm or plate and above the plane of its pivot,
is pivotted the stop pawl which has a short arm, which when the handle is
adjusted extends over the upper projection towards the stop or shoulder. It is not
in contact with the upper face of the projection, nor does its end reach said
shoulder until the handle is thrown up on its pivot a certain distance. The
shoulder, which by the movement of the handle plate is turned forward, will then
come in contact with the end of the pawl arm and the upward movement of the
handle will thereby be stopped. The other or long arm of the pawl extends
downward at right angles to the short arm in front of the handle plate end. At
its lower extremity the long arm is bent toward the handle plate. This backwardly
turned portion is enlarged towards its rear end its upper and lower faces being
inclined upward and downward respectively.
With the adjustment of the handle the lower face of the pawl end strikes
against the face of the first step. The downward movement of the handle and
consequent upward movement of the lower projection on the handle-plate, is
therefore limited by the pawl end. With this construction the handle and handle
plate can have play on its pivot between the points at which the first step and the
shoulder come in contact, respectively, with the lower and upper ends of the pawl.
Said pawl is pivotted on a rivet fixed in the disk-plate.
Between the head of the rivet and the side of the pawl is a spiral spring,
surrounding the rivet serving to force the pawl against the bearing surface on the
disk-plate and thereby acting to hold the pawl frictionally in any position in which
it may be placed.
The long arm of the pawl is provided with a thumb piece by which it can be
moved to rock the pawl on its pivot.

page_text: When it is desired to adjust the handle higher, as is often desirable it is raised
until the shoulder on the handle plate comes into or nearly into contact with the
short arm of the pawl. The lower end of the long arm thereof will then be above
the face of the second step on the lower projection on the handle-plate.
The long arm is then pushed inward so that its end passes rearward over the
step. By such movement the short arm is carried above and out of engagement
with shoulder or stop. The handle can then be lifted higher, the forward end of
the handle plate being consequently turned downward until the third step comes
below the end of the pawl arm. This arm is then pushed inward toward the plate
until its end is situated above the step and between it and the lower inclined face
of the upper projection. The handle plate can then rock up and down on its pivot
until the pawl end is struck either above or below by the upper projection or by
the tread of the third step. With this construction of adjusting stop for the
handle, said handle can be adjusted high or low, and at each adjustment will be
free to have play on its pivot as the machine passes over the ground.
Such play of the handle on its pivot is necessary when the frame is hung at its
front end, and trails over the ground, being supported at its rear end on a roller or
upon wheels.
.
Where the handle is, as this is, pivotted to such a frame above the plane of the
supporting axle of the drive wheel, and so as to allow of play on its pivot, the
rear end of the frame will obviously be eased in its passage over the ground by
the push upon the handle as the machine is driven forward.
It has been found that with the handle pivotted as herein described to the inner
side of the disc plate closing the side of the drive wheel there is little or no side
draft, and the tendency of the machine is to go straight ahead, even without
guiding by the handle.
A modified form of axle for the drive wheel consists of á hollow cylinder formed
at its inner end with reduced portion adapted to fit in a recess in the frame plate.
It is held in place therein, so that the cylinder makes a rigid axle for the wheel by.
a bolt carrying a washer forced against the cylinder end by a nut on the threaded
end of the bolt.

page_text: Improvements in Lawn mowers.
I HENRY ABBOTT of the firm of Lotz Abbott and Co. of 66 Queen Street,
Cannon Street in the City of London, Merchant do hereby declare the nature of
this invention, a communication to me from abroad by Samuel A. Haines and
Company of Chambers Street in the City, County and State of New York in the
United States of America, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to
be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved machine Figure 2 is a plan view
of the same Figure 3 a view in side elevation of the drive wheel a portion broken
away to show the ratchet and pawl mechanism Figure 4. a detail view in side
elevation of the frame plate closing the inner side of the drive wheel showing the
situation and operation of the adjustable stop when the handle is adjusted with its
rear end raised. Figure 5 a similar view of the portion of the plate to which the
handle is pivotted, showing the handle as adjusted with its rear end lowered.
Figure 6 shows a view of a vertical transverse section of the drive wheel and
frame plate looking toward the rear of the machine Figure 7 a detail view in
perspective of the form of adjustment used for the bearings of the supporting
roller. Figure 8 a vertical transverse section of the outer supporting wheel, its
journal and the part of the frame to which it is attached. Figure 9 a similar
section through the gear inclosing plate, the handle and the pivot thereof on the
plate. Figure 10 is a detail view showing the inner side of the drive wheel with
a portion of the contained gear wheel broken away.
Figure 11 a similar view showing a modified form of axle. for the drive wheel.
The object of the invention is to provide an improved lawn mower and to this
end it consists in the construction arrangement and combination of parts as herein-
after described and more specifically pointed out in the claims.
In the drawings A designates a plate forming one side of the frame of the
machine. The front portion B of this plate is disk shaped as shown. A cross
bar C serves to connect the plate A with the other side of the frame D being
rigidly attached at its ends to the sides. Cast on the outer side of disc B, at the
centre thereof, is the hollow cylindrical projection E which is the axle upon which
is journalled the drive wheel F. This wheel as shown is dish shaped being open
on its inner side. When the wheel is in place on its axle the disc B fits within
and closes the inner side of it as shown.
Said wheel is formed with a bub F which extends inward and fits upon and
around the rigid axle E. Upon this hub is journalled the internally geared
wheel G, the teeth of which mesh with the pinion H₁ screwed on the end of the
revolving cutter shaft H. This shaft where it passes through the disc plate B in
the rear of the drive wheel axle is journalled in a bearing I consisting of the lower
rigid half bearing I, and the upper moveable half I extending through the disc
plate. On the inner side of the plate the moveable half bearing is provided on its
forward side with an arm i extending downward.
Against the lower end of this arm bears a screw i working in a lug on the
plate. Another screw i also working in a lug on the plate, bears down against
the upper side of the half bearing at a point over the shaft opening in the bearing.
The drive wheel F is held upon its hollow axle E by means of the bolt K
passing through the latter, and the disc or washer K¹ on the outer end of the bolt,

page_text: held thereon and forced against the end of the axle by means of a nut K. This
disc K¹ is provided on its inner face with radial ribs k k which fit into and engage
the radial grooves or notches in the end of the axle when the disc is forced home
by the nut on the screw threaded end of bolt K. The disc which is thus prevented.
from turning overlaps the central portion of the outer face of the drive wheel
around the axle and holds said wheel in place on the latter while allowing it to
turn freely thereon.
Between the drive wheel and the internal gear wheel, journalled on its hub,
there is a pawl and ratchet connection which insures the turning together of the
two wheels when the drive wheel is rotating as in the forward motion of the
machine but allows the drive wheel to turn backward freely and independently
of the other.
The drive wheel is provided on its inner face with an annular groove or way L
the outer edge of which is provided with a series of recesses L¹ L¹ having inclined
sides and . The inclines are on the rear sides of the recesses with
reference to the direction of rotation of the wheel as the machine is moved forward.
The inclines are on the other or front sides of the recesses, and are shorter
and inclined at more of an angle than the inclines .. The inclined sides of the
recesses do not meet at the outer extremities or bottoms of said recesses, but
the bottom of each recess is, for a short distance, formed with a face tangential to
a circle described from the centre of the wheel. The extent of this straight or
slightly curved surface is a little greater: than the width of one of the sliding
pins or pawls to be hereinafter described. The inner wall of the way L around
the hub F¹ of the wheel is formed with ratchet teeth or projections M the straight
and radial faces m m of which are on lines not radial but parallel to radial lines
and striking the short inclines at or about their middle points as shown in
Figures 3 and 10. On the outer face of the internal gear wheel G, situated
diametrically opposite each other are the ways 9 g each formed by two parallel
lugs g g having passages gll gll between them. These passages are not in a line
with each other, but extend in a direction parallel to but on opposite sides of a
line through the centre of the wheel. In these passages or ways slide the
reciprocating pawls h consisting of short bars preferably square in cross section
and having the edges of their ends slightly rounded. With the ways situated and
extending in the direction as shown and described, the sides of the inner ends
of the pawls, as they engage the square faces of the ratchet teeth. are parallel to
and strike squarely against them (see Figures 3 and 10) As the drive wheel
turns backward, the pawls will ride over the inclined faces of the teeth and recesses
reciprocating in and out.
situated just pass
With this arrange-
The pawls are of such length that they will as they are
between the opposite sides of the groove or way in the wheel.
ment, construction and operation if the wheel be turned forward, as in the
forward motion of the machine the inclines on the outer side of the groove or way
will throw the pawls both inward, so that their inner ends will engage the ratchet
teeth around the centre of the wheel on the inner side of the way as illustrated in
the drawings. In the outer side of the drive wheel an opening G is provided.
This is intended to allow the insertion of a pin or projection g' on a wrench when
it is desired to turn the cutter shaft backward in sharpening the cutter blades.
The pin when inserted will, as the drive wheel is rotated strike against the lug
forming the side of one of the pawl ways and the drive wheel and internal gear
can then be rotated together without reference to the action of the pawls. Here-
tofore when it has been desired to turn the cutter shaft backward to clean and
sharpen the knives it has been necessary either to remove the drive wheel dis-
connect some of the gearing or apply a turning device to some portion of the
intermediate gearing between the drive wheel and cutter shaft.
:
In no machine, as constructed heretofore in which a backing ratchet or clutch
has been used, has it been possible to turn the cutter shaft backward by a reversed
movement of the drive wheel itself. without change in the gearing. From its

page_text: position in the wheel side, the opening G¹ besides serving the purpose above
described, also affords means of access to the pawls and ways for oiling the same.
As indicated hereinbefore the frame of the machine is formed of the side plate A
of the form described, and the outer side plate or frame D rigidly connected
together by the cross bar C. This frame is supported at its forward end on the
one side by the drive wheel, journalled on the rigid projection from the disc
portion B of the plate A and on the other side by the wheel. P corresponding to
the grain wheel of a harvester, which is journalled upon an axle attached to the
frame plate D. This plate is, at its forward end cast with a cup shaped part D',
opening toward the outer side thereof. The inner side or bottom of this cup is
provided with a central opening d, around which is a short flange d¹. A bushing P¹
or short hollow axle is held in place with its inner end pressed against the bottom
of the cup D¹ and surrounding the flange d¹ by a bolt P' passing through the
bushing or axle and the opening in plate D and provided with a washer or disc p
bearing against the outer end of the hollow axle and overlapping it as shown.
Upon this axle between this washer and the bottom of the cup D¹ is journalled the
wheel P. The sides of the cup extend over the hub of the wheel, so as to prevent
grass or dirt getting in between the inner end of the hub and the bottom face of
the cup.
As the frame is thus supported at its forward end it is free to rise and
fall with any unevenness in the ground swinging from the axles of the wheels as
centres.
The machine is then what is known as a rear cut machine, that is, the cutting
apparatus supported and journalled in the frame is in the rear of the axle of the
driving and supporting wheels.
The advantages of such a construction especially where a handle pivotted to
have some up and down play is used are well known, and need not be set forth
here. The outer end of the cutter shaft is journalled in the. bearing F* on the
upper edge or top of the side plate D. The upper portion of the journal bearing
is made removable and adjustable to take up wear by means of screws as shown.
The extreme end of the shaft beyond this bearing is formed with flange h preventing
inward movement of the shaft through its bearings. Upon the cutter shaft is the
spiral cutter N the blades N¹ of which cut against the stationary straight edged
cutter blade O screwed or otherwise fastened to the bottom face of the bar N!!
extending across from side to side of the machine. This bar is to the rear of as well
as below the cutter shaft as shown.
The cutter blade O extends forward beyond the edge of the bar so as to be just
in the rear of a vertical plane through the spiral cutter shaft.
The bar N is at each end pivotted to the sides of the frame by pivot studs n!
entering the pivot holes n in the frame plates. From the stationary cutter bar
extend upward at substantially right angles to the plane of the cutter blade, rigid
arms N³, N³ each of which is engaged on opposite sides by the ends of the
adjusting screws n³ n³ tapped through lugs cast on the frame plates.'
By means of these screws the bar can be rocked and adjusted on its pivot studs
so as to bring the edge of the cutter nearer to or farther from the revolving cutters.
As shown the sides of the frame are cast with curved guard flanges R, R, to
prevent the grass from getting in between the ends of the revolving or fixed
cutters and the frame plates.
These flanges as shaped with their inwardly inclined edges will guide any blades
of grass coming in contact with them inward so that they will come in the path
of the cutters. The rear end of the frame is supported upon a roller S extending
from side to side between the rear ends of the frame sides just behind the
stationary cutter bar N". The ends S¹ S¹ of the roller shaft are journalled in
bearings T, T, in the lower ends of slotted bars U, U; these bars are on their
outer faces serrated as shown. The inner sides of the rear ends of the frame are
provided with grooves U U¹ in which these bars fit, the bottoms or inner faces of
which grooves are formed with the teeth or projections u, u, adapted to engage
opposite notches on the bars U U. Bolts pass through the slots in the bars and

page_text: through openings in the ends of the frame between the teeth on the inner faces of
the groove and serve to clamp the serrated outer sides of the bars firmly against the
inner faces or bottoms of the grooves U₁ U. By these means the roller bearings
can be adjusted up or down and fixed as desired according as the cut is to be made
close or not.
The plate or arm V to which the handle is attached is pivotted to the inner face
of disc B, above and to the rear of the centre of such disc or the point at which is
situated the driving wheel axle upon which the frame is supported.
Q
The rear portion of this plate is provided with a bolt opening v and a slot v
beyond such opening and curved from it as a centre.
Through these openings pass the bolts vv for fastening the handle to the
plate V. As the outer or rear bolt opening is a curved slot as described, the
handle can obviously be adjusted with reference to the plate upon the front bolt as
a pivot.
The handle thus attached to the plate V could be used without any further brace,
but it is preferable to employ the brace V' which on its end towards the handle is
formed with a straight portion ³ adapted to rest squarely against the handle side
opposite to the plate V and is provided with openings for the passage of the two
bolts vv. The nuts on these bolts engage the outer portion and serve to draw
it up close to the handle. The brace V₁ extends entirely across the machine as
shown and at its outer end has a forwardly extending arm provided at its
forward end with a pivot stud vs journalled in an elevated bearing on the frame
just inside of wheel P at substantially the same height as the pivotal point of
plate V.
The stud is preferably formed with a lug v engaging the outer side of
bearing 6 so as to hold the stud in place in its bearing. The latter is formed with
an offset which when the brace V₁ is swung up so as to stand substantially vertical
will allow the lug on the pivot stud to be passed inward in the removal of the
stud from its bearing.
This plate is pivotted upon a hollow projection or stud W cast on the disc B of
frame plate A.
It is kept in place on this stud by means of a bolt passing through the disc and
stud and carrying a washer W₁ and a nut W3 by which the washer is forced and
beld against the end of the stud. This washer is larger than the end of the stud,
and extends on all sides beyond it overlapping a portion of the handle plate. Said
plate can then by this means be held in place on its pivot stud while being left
free to turn or rock thereon. An annular flange W³ on the inner face of the plate
surrounds this washer and extends inward over it, thus protecting the pivotal
bearing of the plate from dust and dirt which otherwise would be apt to get in
between the washer and plate.
The end of the handle plate in front of the pivotal point thereof has below the
forwardly projecting portion X which on its upper side is notched to form the
series of three steps xxx extending from the front end of the projection rear-
ward and upward.
The end of the plate is formed with an upper projection X¹ shorter than that
already described."
Above and to the rear of this projection is a stop or shoulder ³. The lower
face of said projection is inclined upwards from its forward edge toward the rear
and the upper face of the step x³ is inclined in the opposite direction as shown in
the drawings.
In front of the handle attaching arm or plate V, and above the plane of its pivot
is pivotted the stop pawl Y which has a short arm Y¹ which when the handle
is adjusted as shown in Figure 6 extends over the projection X¹ toward the
shoulder.
It is not in contact with the upper face of the projection nor does its end reach
said shoulder until the handle is thrown up on its pivot a certain distance.

page_text: The shoulder which by the movement of the handle plate is turned forward will
then come in contact with the end of the pawl arm and the upward movement of
the handle will thereby be stopped. The other arm Y! of the pawl extends
downward at right angles to the other arm in front of the handle plate end. At
its lower extremity the arm Y is bent toward the handle plate V. This back-
wardly turned portion Y is enlarged toward its rear end, its upper and lower
faces y and y' being inclined upward and downward, respectively. With the
adjustment of the handle (shown in Figure 6) the lower face y' of the pawl end Y
strikes against the face of stop 2. The downward movement of the handle and
consequent upward movement of the lower projection on the handle plate is
therefore limited by the pawl end.
With this construction the handle and handle plate can have play on its pivot
between the points at which the lower step x and the shoulder ³ come in contact
respectively with the lower and upper ends of the pawl. Said pawl is pivotted on
a rivet fixed in the disc. Between the head of the rivet and the side of the
pawl is a spiral spring surrounding the rivet serving to force the pawl against
the bearing surface on the disc plate B and thereby acting to hold the pawl
frictionally in any position in which it may be placed. The arm Y of the pawl
is provided with a thumb-piece y by which it can be moved to rock the pawl on
its pivot. When it is desired to adjust the handle higher, as is often desirable it is
raised until the shoulder ³ on the handle plate comes into or nearly into contact
with the arm Y¹. The lower end of the arm Y' will then be above the face of the
second step on the lower projection X on the plate. The arm Y' is then pushed
inward so that its end Y3 passes rearward over the step.
By such movement the arm Y is carried above and out of engagement with
shoulder. The handle can then be lifted higher, the forward end of the plate
being consequently turned downward until the step x comes below the end Y³ of
the pawl arm. This arm is then pushed inward toward the plate until its end Y³
is situated above the step and between it and the lower inclined face of the upper
projection X. The handle plate can then rock up and down on its pivot until the
pawl end is struck either above or below by the upper projection X¹ or by the
tread of the step x³.
With this construction of adjusting stop for the handle said handle can be
adjusted high or low and at each adjustment will be free to have play on its pivot
as the machine passes over the ground. Such play of the handle on its pivot is
necessary when the frame is hung at its front end and trails over the ground,
being supported at its rear end on a roller or upon wheels. Where the handle is
pivotted to such a frame above the plane of the supporting axle of the drive wheel
and so as to allow of play on its pivot, the rear end of the frame will obviously be
eased in its passage over the ground by the push upon the handle as the machine
is driven forward,
It has been found that with the handle pivotted to the inner side of the disc,
closing the side of the drive wheel there is little or no side draft, and the tendency.
of the machine is to go straight ahead, even without guiding by the handle. In
Figure 11 is shown a modified form of axle for the drive wheel. This consists of
the hollow cylinder Z formed at its inner end with reduced portion Z¹ adapted to
fit in the recess 2' in the frame plate.
It is held in place therein so that the cylinder makes a rigid axle for the wheel
by the bolt Z³ carrying the washer Z forced against the cylinder end by the nut Z³
on the threaded end of the bolt.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. In combination with the side plate of the frame provided with a hollow stud,
the handle attaching plate pivotted thereon and held in place by means of a bolt

page_text: passing through the stud, a nut on the bolt and a washer between the nut and
plate substantially as shown and described.
2. In combination with a handle attaching plate formed with an annular flange
on its inner side and pivotted on a hollow pivot stud on the side plate of the
frame, a bolt passing through the frame plate and stud, a nut on the bolt and
a washer held against the side of the handle plate within the annular flange
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
3. In combination with the frame plate formed on its outer side with a hollow
cylindrical stud provided on its outer end with radial grooves or notches the drive
wheel journalled on the stud, a bolt passing through the latter a washer on the
bolt of greater diameter than such stud and provided with radial ribs adapted to
fit the grooves or notches in the stud end and a nut on the bolt adapted to force.
and hold the washer against such end substantially as and for the purpose described.
4. In combination with the hollow drive wheel open on its inner side, the disc
shaped portion of the frame plate fitting within and closing the open side of the
wheel, the hollow stud cast on the plate and forming the axle upon which the
wheel is journalled, the bolt passing through the stud, the washer on the bolt of
a larger diameter than the stud and provided with radial ribs adapted to fit in
notches in the stud end and the nut on the bolt adapted to force and hold the.
washer against the stud substantially as shown and described.
5. In combination with the driving wheel formed with an annular concentric
groove or recess in one side, having one of its walls formed with a series of recesses
having inclined sides and the other with ratchet teeth, the wheel to be driven
from the driving wheel provided with ways in which slide reciprocating pawls
adapted to engage the opposing ratchet teeth and inclined sides of the recesses at
the sides of the annular groove as the driving wheel rotates substantially as and
for the purpose specified.
.
6. The wheel formed with a series of ratchet teeth, each having its squared face
not radial but parallel to a radius and with an opposing concentric series of alter-
nately long and short inclines, the latter opposite the points of the ratchet teeth
in combination with the wheel carrying on its side sliding pawls guided in ways
not radial but parallel to the same diameter and so situated on the wheel that the
pawls are brought between the series of teeth and recesses when the wheels are
placed together concentrically substantially as shown and described.
7. In combination with the driven wheel carrying pawls sliding in ways on its.
side the driving wheel provided with ratchet teeth adapted to be engaged by the.
inner ends of the pawls and with a concentric series of recesses with inclined sides
adapted to engage the outer ends of the pawls and so situated with reference to
the ratchet teeth that as the wheels revolve independently the pawls will be caused
to slide inward so as to be in position to engage the ratchet teeth substantially as
shown and described.
8. The drive wheel provided with an annular groove on its inner face having
one side formed with ratchet teeth and the other side formed with alternately long:
and short inclined portions inclined, respectively, outwardly and inwardly in com-
bination with the power transmitting wheel provided with pawls guided in ways
thereon and reciprocating between the ratchet teeth and inclinės as the drive wheel
is rotated backward but adapted to engage the ratchet teeth when the drive wheel is
rotated in the opposite direction.
9. In combination with the pivotted handle attaching plate and the handle, the
brace adapted to be fastened to the handle on the side thereof opposite to the
attaching plate, and extending across the machine and pivotted to the frame at its
outer end, substantially as and for the purpose described.
10. In combination with the handle attaching plate for a lawn mower' pivotted'
to the frame at one side of the machine, the brace pivotted to the frame at the
other side of the machine and extending across in the rear thereof, the handle and
means for fastening the inner end of the brace and the attaching plate to the
handle, substantially as and for the purpose described.

page_text: 11. In combination with the handle attaching plate for lawn mower pivotted to
the frame at one side of the machine and the brace pivotted at its outer end to the
frame and extending across behind the machine, the handle and suitable fastening
bolts extending through the pivotted plate, the handle, and a portion of the brace
so as to fasten the plate and brace to opposite sides of the handle substantially as
and for the purpose described.
12. In combination with the handle attaching plate pivotted to the frame and
provided with a bolt opening and with a slot in rear of such opening curved from
it as a centre, the handle, the brace pivotted to the frame of the machine at its
outer end and the bolts passing through the opening and slot in the plate and
through the handle and a portion of the inner end of the brace substantially as
and for the purpose described.
13. In combination. with the pivotted handle attaching plate, the pawl pivotted
on the frame plate and engaging notches or steps on the forward end of the handle
plate substantially as shown and described.
14. In combination with the handle attaching plate pivotted to the frame and
provided on its front end with notches or steps, the pivotted pawl adapted to
engage such notches or steps to adjust the angle of the handle-plate and to allow
play of the same upon its pivot at any point of its adjustment, substantially as
shown and described.
15. In combination with the notched or stepped end of the handle-attaching
plate, the two armed pawl pivotted to the frame plate and provided with a
friction spring to hold it from accidental movement substantially as shown and
described.
16. The pivotted handle attaching plate having on its forward end a projection X
provided with steps xxx and a projection above provided on its upper side with
shoulder X in combination with the two armed pivotted pawl Y adapted to engage
the steps shoulder and projections on the handle-plate substantially as shown and
described.
17. In combination with the two-armed pawl the handle attaching plate provided
with the step engaged by the lower end of the pawl, the shoulder engaged by the
end of the other pawl-arm the intermediate step to allow the lower end of the pawl
arm to be carried inward to disengage the other arm and shoulder to permit the
handle to be raised, the upper and inner step, and the upper projection between
which the lower end of the pawl arm projects when the handle is adjusted on its
pivot to its highest point substantially as and for the purpose described.
18. The frame plate cast with a concave portion open on its outer side, the
supporting-wheel having a hub extending within the sides of the concavity the
hollow bushing or short axle for the wheel with its inner end resting against
the bottom of the concavity and means for clamping and holding such bushing in
place to form a rigid axle substantially as shown and described.
·
19. In a lawn mower, in combination with the supporting wheel having an
inwardly extending hub, the side frame plate provided with an axle for the wheel,
and with a flange extending out, over and around the hub, substantially as and for
the purpose set forth.
20. In a lawn mower, the side frame cast with a cup shaped portion open on its
outer side having a central opening through its inner side surrounded by an
annular flange, a hollow cylinder clamped and held against the bottom of the cup
by means of a bolt passing through the frame and cylinder and carrying on its
outer end a washer overlapping the end of the cylinder and a wheel journalled
on the cylinder as an axle all combined substantially as and for the purpose
described.
21. In a lawn-mower the drive wheel and the independent gear-wheel adapted
to be locked together so that the gear wheel can be turned backward by the rotation
of the drive wheel substantially as and for the purpose described.
22. In a lawn mower, a drive wheel and a concentric gear wheel for driving the
cutter, connected together by means of a backing ratchet or clutch and adapted to

page_text: be locked together so that the gear wheel can be turned backward by rotation of
the drive wheel, substantially as and for the purpose described.
23. In a lawn mower having a drive wheel and a concentric gear wheel for
driving the cutting apparatus connected with the drive wheel by a backing ratchet
or clutch, the drive wheel provided with an opening to admit the insertion of a pin
to lock the drive and gear wheels together substantially as and for the purpose
described.
24. In a lawn mower the gear wheel meshing with the pinion on the cutter
shaft, in combination with the drive wheel inclosing said gear and connected
therewith by a backing ratchet or clutch mechanism and provided with an opening
for the admission of a pin or other device for locking together the drive and gear
wheels substantially as shown and described.
25. In a lawn mower, having a hollow drive wheel, and a gear wheel journalled
on the hub of the drive wheel and connected with said wheel by sliding pawls
engaging ratchet teeth on the drive wheel, the drive wheel provided with an opening
through which a pin or equivalent device can be inserted to engage the side of one
of the pawlways substantially as shown and described.