Improvements in the Construction of Sheaf Binding Harvesters.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Sept., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 24th June, 1896-Accepted, 12th Sept., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Sheaf Binding Harvesters.
I ALEXANDER MCGREGOR of Albion Iron Works, Leigh, in the County of
Lancaster, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to certain improvements in the details of construction of
sheaf binding harvesters, and the first part consists in an improvement in the gear
frame shown and described in the Specification of former Letters Patent granted
to me; No. 6461, A.D. 1894.
Instead of constructing the front and rear bars of a similar channel section to
that used for the side bars; I now use an ordinary flat section, of suitable width
to fit securely between the ribs or flanges of the channel-section side bars.. This
arrangement, while forming an equally rigid connection to that described in the
before-mentioned specification is more easy of accomplishment; and at the same
time dispenses with the "fish plates" or other brackets which are necessary when
all the bars are of a channel section.
In order to add to the rigidity and strength of the frame in machines in which
the driver's seat is supported directly from the rear bar of the gear frame, I make
use of an auxiliary bar running parallel with, but forward of the main rear bar,
and having return ends of a size to fit between the ribs of the channel section side
bars; this auxiliary bar being still further strengthened by means of a diagonal
bar firmly bolted or otherwise secured to it, and fitting between the ribs of the
side bar and firmly secured to the same.
Between the rear bar and the auxiliary bar I place a movable block or bracket,
formed with a top flange which rests on, and overlaps the upper edges of the said
bars. The bottom edges of the bars are also underlapped by a clip-plate, formed
with a central square hole which fits around the lower end of a square pipe or box
which is formed in the block or bracket to receive the end of the standard for
carrying the drivers seat. This standard is by preference made of a round steel
bar, having a square end forged upon it, of a size to fit the pipe or box. The
block or bracket and the clip-plate are held firmly together and secured to the
rear and auxiliary bars by bolts which pass through the block and the clip-plate;
so that by loosening the said bolts, the block and clip-plate together with the
standard and the driver's seat, may be moved along the bars to the right or left as
desired, and again firmly secured by the bolts.
When the seat is supported from the rear bars of the gear frame it becomes
necessary to place the tilting lever, for raising or lowering the fingers, also to the
rear of the machine, so as to be in a convenient position for the driver. To
the rear end of the inside frame bar I bolt or otherwise secure a quadrant on
which is mounted a tilting lever. When the lever catch is in the lower detent of the
quadrant, the part of the lever directly behind the quadrant is carried in a
horizontal position for a sufficient distance for it, when in its highest position to be
clear of the elevator chain and to form no obstruction to the grain which may
be passing up the elevator. In order to bring the lever when at its lowest position
to a convenient height for the driver's hand, it is then bent up at nearly right
angles and the handle part only bent back to a horizontal position. The rod from
the spring handle to the lever catch is jointed and carried by a bell crank on the
outer side of the lower bend in the lever, so as to form no obstruction.
The front bar of the gear frame is bent diagonally forward, and the main
draught bracket is secured firmly to this bend, in the same manner as that

page_text: described in the before mentioned specification. This main draught bracket is
now formed with a cross tube or bearing to receive a pin or bolt on which is
mounted an upright rectangular frame. To the upper part of this frame, on the
side nearest the grain platform I connect the end of a rod, the other end of which
is jointed to a crank or arm formed in one with the before mentioned tilting lever.
To the upper part of the rectangular frame, and on the side furthest from the
grain platform, in a line, or nearly so, with the side of the draught pole, I connect
a rod or link, either directly to the draught pole or to an upright arm which is
secured to the same.
In place of bending the rear bar of the gear frame downwards, so as to connect
it to the rear bar of the platform as described in the before-mentioned specification
I make use of a "splice plate" or bracket of a special form. This splice plate
has a channel or recess in its inner side in which the end of the rear bar of the
gear frame is securely fixed. The lower end of the splice plate is carried down
and forms a foot or flange to which the rear bar of the platform is securely
bolted. A box to receive the bearing of the spindle of the bottom roller of the
lower elevator is formed in the said splice plate and also a projecting boss to
receive the end of the bar or pipe which is used for supporting the back of the
upper elevator; it has likewise, formed on its upper edge, a recessed lug or flange
to receive the end of the back elevator frame bar which is firmly bolted to it; and
by the side of this flange is also an eye or boss to receive the end of the tie rod
which is carried from the draught bracket in a similar manner to that described in
the before mentioned specification. This arrangement, while forming a thoroughly
secure connection between the back of the frame and the platform, admits of their
being readily disconnected when the machine requires to be taken to pieces for
export or other purposes.
The finger bar of the cutting apparatus is connected to the front bar of the
gear frame in a similar manner to that described in the Specification of Letters
Patent No. 11424 A.D. 1893, but according to this present improvement I form
the locking plate with an ear or flange at its upper edge, and attach thereto a prong
or guard, which is carried upwards for a short distance over the lower elevator
canvas so as to form a guide for the butt ends of the grain, and prevent them from
falling between the platform canvas and the elevator canvas.
The next part of this improvement relates to the mauner of communicating
motion to the gathering reel, by means of the ordinary endless chain which is used
for driving the elevators and other parts of the mechanism, and consists in an
arrangement whereby the sprocket wheel which gears into the chain acts also as a
tightening wheel for the said chain, while at the same time it can be readily
changed when necessary to alter the speed of the reel.
On the rear outer end of the ordinary horizontal shaft which is used for transmitting
motion to the reel, I secure a spur pinion, which gears into, and is driven by
another spur pinion, formed in one, or secured to the sprocket wheel which receives
its motion from the before-mentioned endless chain. This sprocket wheel and
spur pinion is mounted on an axle which is carried by an arm centred upon the
bearing of the before-mentioned horizontal shaft, so that the sprocket wheel and
spur pinion may be moved concentrically around the bearing to the desired position
for giving the necessary degree of tightness to the chain, while at the same time
the spur pinion which is formed in one with the sprocket wheel remains in gear
with the pinion on the horizontal shaft; the before-mentioned arm being secured by
a bolt or other suitable means to a fixed quadrant.
In order to provide a ready and accurate means of attaching, reversing or
changing the sprocket wheel which is used for driving the packers and binding
apparatus; I mount in the bearing which usually carries this sprocket wheel, a
journal, truly turned to fit the same, and having collars formed to fit the sides of
the bearing, and a central hole through which the square driving shaft is free to
slide in the usual manner. On the outer end of this journal I continue a sleeve,
truly turned to fit the central hole in the sprocket wheel, which may be either a

page_text: single wheel or formed with two rings of sprocket teeth. In order to enable this
wheel to drive the journal, I form an indent, or it may be two or more indents, in
the collar of the journal which is next to the wheel, and I form a tooth or teeth on
the side of the boss of the sprocket wheel to engage the indent or indents in the
collar, and by means of a set screw or other simple arrangement I secure the wheel
endways so that it may keep in gear with the journal.
The next part of my improvement relates to the arrangement of gearing for
driving the elevator rollers, the seventh roller and the "buttor."
"
"
Heretofore it has been usual, more particularly in that class of sheaf binding
harvesters known as "open end," to mount the driving chain wheel on the rear end
spindle of the top roller of the lower elevator and to place the "three pinion
gearing for driving the seventh roller at that same end, while the gearing for
driving the upper elevator is placed at the front of the machine; the "buttor
being driven either from the front spindle of the top roller of the lower elevator,
or from the front spindle of the seventh roller. My improvement consists in
placing both sets of gearing more conveniently in one compact cluster at the front
of the machine, and arranging the whole so as to be easy of access for oiling or
repairs. The top roller of the lower elevator is driven by a sprocket wheel
mounted on its rear end spindle in the usual manner.
On the front end spindle of this roller is mounted a driving spur pinion, which,
by means of two intermediate pinions, gives motion to a spur pinion on the spindle
of the top roller of the upper elevator; the lower of these two intermediate pinions
also gearing into and communicating motion from the driving spur pinion to a
spur pinion on the spindle of the seventh roller. This latter pinion is by preference
formed in one with a bevel pinion which gears into a bevel pinion on the "buttor
crank shaft; the "buttor "being thus driven direct through the gearing instead of
through the seventh roller, as is the case when part of the gearing is at the back
of the machine.
"
The upper intermediate pinion is carried on a renewable bushing which fits into
a recess accurately formed in the elevator front plate, and is secured by a bolt
passing through the plate and the bushing, and having a washer under the nut,
which tightens on the end of the bushing but admits of the pinion revolving freely
on the same. An oil hole in the boss of the pinion communicates with an annular
chamber formed in the bore of the pinion.
The arrangement for carrying and oiling the lower intermediate pinion is in
every respect similar to that for the upper one, with the exception that in place of
the before-mentioned washer, I secure the arm of the bracket for carrying the
"buttor" crank shaft; the bracket being further secured by bolts directly to the
elevator front plate.
Dad him 02-1 frostrantir 1905
UUMI LEIE DEPORTIVATION
Improvements in the Construction of Sheaf Binding Harvesters.
I ALEXANDER McGregor of Albion Iron Works, Leigh, in the County of
Lancaster, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to certain improvements in the details of construction of
sheaf binding harvesters, and the first part consists in an improvement in the gear
frame shown and described in the Specification of former Lettere Patent granted to
me. No. 6461 A.D. 1894.

page_text: Instead of constructing the front and rear bars a a¹ (see drawings annexed) of a
similar channel section to that used for the side bars a³, a³, I now use an ordinary
flat section, of suitable width to fit securely between the ribs or flanges of the
channel-section side bars a² a as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. This arrangement,
while forming an equally rigid connection to that described in the before-mentioned
specification is more easy of accomplishment; and at the same time dispenses with
the "fish-plates" or other brackets which are necessary when all the bars are of a
channel section.
In order to add to the rigidity and strength of the frame in machines in which
the driver's seat is supported directly from the rear bar of the gear frame, I make
use of an auxiliary bar a' (Figs. 1, 2 and 4) running parallel with, but forward of
the main rear bar, and having return ends of a size to fit between the ribs of the
channel section side bars; this auxiliary bar being still further strengthened by
means of a diagonal bar as firmly bolted or otherwise secured to it, and fitting
between the ribs of the side bar and firmly secured to the same.
Between the rear bar and the auxiliary bar I place a movable block or bracket b
formed with a top flange which rests on, and overlaps the upper edges of the said
bars as shown in Fig. 4. The bottom edges of the bars are also underlapped by a
clip-plate formed with a central square hole which fits around the lower end of
a square pipe or box 6' which is formed in the block or bracket to receive the end
of the standard c for carrying the driver's seat c'. This standard is by preference
made of a round steel bar, having a square end forged upon it, of a size to fit the
pipe or box. The block or bracket and the clip-plate are held firmly together and
secured to the rear and auxiliary bars by bolts 13 which pass through the block and
the clip-plate; so that by loosening the said bolts the block and clip-plate, together
with the standard and the driver's seat, may be moved along the bars to the right
or left as desired, and again firmly secured by the bolts.
When the seat is supported from the rear bars of the gear frame it becomes
Decessary to place the tilting lever, for raising or lowering the fingers, also to the
rear of the machine, so as to be in a convenient position for the driver. To the
rear end of the inside frame bar I bolt or otherwise secure a quadrant d on which
is mounted a tilting lever d'. When the lever catch is in the lower detent of the
quadrant, the part of the lever directly behind the quadrant is carried in a
horizontal position for a sufficient distance for it, when in its highest position to be
clear of the elevator chain and to form no obstruction to the grain which may be
passing up the elevator. In order to bring the lever when at its lowest position to
a convenient height for the driver's hand, it is then bent up at nearly right angles
and the handle part only bent back to a horizontal position, in the manner shown
in Fig. 2. The rod from the spring handle d³ to the lever catch d' is jointed
and carried by a bell crank d' on the outer side of the lower bend in the lever, so
as to form no obstruction.
The front bar of the gear frame is bent diagonally forward, and the main draught
bracket e is secured firmly to this bend, in the same manner as that described in
the before mentioned specification. This main draught bracket is now formed
with a cross tube or bearing e¹ to receive a pin or bolt on which is mounted an
upright rectangular frame. To the upper part of this frame, on the side nearest
the grain platform, I connect the end of a rod f, the other end of which is jointed
to a crank or arm do formed in one with the before mentioned tilting lever. To
the upper part of the rectangular frame, and on the side furthest from the grain
platform, in a line, or nearly so, with the side of the draught pole g, I connect a
rod or link g', either directly to the draught pole or to an upright arm which is
secured to the same.
"
In place of bending the rear bar of the gear frame downwards, so as to connect
it to the rear bar of the platform as described in the before-mentioned specification
I make use of a "splice plate
or bracket of a special form as shown on Fig. 5.
This splice plate has a channel or recess in its inner side in which the end of the
rear bar a¹ of the gear frame is securely fixed. The lower end of the splice plate

page_text: is carried down and forms a foot or flange to which the rear bar h of the platform
is securely bolted. A box to receive the bearing of the spindle of the bottom
roller of the lower elevator is formed in the said splice plate and also a projecting
boss to receive the end of the bar or pipe which is used for supporting the back
of the upper elevator; it has likewise, formed on its upper edge, a recessed lug
or flange to receive the end of the back elevator frame bar which is firmly bolted
to it; and by the side of this flange is also an eye or boss to receive the end of
the tie rod which is carried from the draught bracket in a similar manner to that
described in the before mentioned specification. This arrangement, while forming
a thoroughly secure connection between the back of the frame and platform, admits
of their being readily disconnected when the machine requires to be taken to pieces
for export or other purposes.
The finger bar of the cutting apparatus is connected to the front bar of the gear
frame in a similar manner to that described in the Specification of Letters Patent
No. 11424 A.D. 1893, but according to this present improvement I form the locking
plate (Fig. 6) with an ear or flange at its upper edge, and attach thereto a prong
or guard,, which is carried upwards for a short distance over the lower elevator
canvas & so as to form a guide for the butt ends of the grain, and prevent them
from falling between the platform canvas and the elevator canvas.
The next part of this improvement relates to the manner of communicating
motion to the gathering reel, by means of the ordinary endless chain which is used
for driving the elevators and other parts of the mechanism, and consists in an
arrangement whereby the sprocket wheel which gears into the chain acts also as a
tightening wheel for the said chain, while at the same time it can be readily changed
when necessary to alter the speed of the ree!.
On the rear outer end of the ordinary horizontal shaft m (Figs. 7 and 8) which
is used for transmitting motion to the reel, I secure a spur pinion m³ which gears
into, and is driven by another spur pinion n formed in one, or secured to, the
sprocket wheel n' which receives its motion from the before-mentioned endless
chain. This sprocket wheel and spur pinion is mounted on an axle o which is
carried by an arm o' centred upon the bearing o² of the before-mentioned horizontal
shaft, so that the sprocket wheel and spur pinion may be moved concentrically
around the bearing to the desired position for giving the necessary degree of
tightness to the chain, while at the same time the spur pinion which is formed in
one with the sprocket wheel remains in gear with the pinion in the horizontal
shaft the before-mentioned arm being secured by a bolt or other suitable means
to a fixed quadrant o³.
.
In order to provide a ready and accurate means of attaching, reversing or
changing the sprocket wheel which is used for driving the packers and binding
apparatus; I mount in the bearing which usually carries this sprocket wheel, a
journal p (Fig. 9), truly turned to fit the same, and having collars pl p² formed to
fit the sides of the bearing, and a central hole through which the square driving
shaft is free to slide in the usual manner. On the outer end of this journal
I continue a sleeve p³ truly turned to fit the central hole in the sprocket wheel r,
which may be either a single wheel as shown or formed with two rings of sprocket
teeth. In order to enable this wheel to drive the journal, I form an indent p*, or
it may be two or more indents, in the collar p¹ of the journal which is next to the
wheel, and I form a tooth or teeth on the side of the boss of the sprocket wheel to
engage the indent or indents in the collar, and by means of a set screw r¹ or other
simple arrangement 1 secure the wheel endways so that it may keep in gear with
the journal.
The next part of my improvement relates to the arrangement of gearing for
driving the elevator rollers, the seventh roller and the "buttor."
Heretofore it has been usual, more particularly in that class of sheaf binding
harvesters known as 66 open end
to mount the driving chain wheel on the rear end
spindle of the top roller of the lower elevator and to place the "three pinion"
gearing for driving the seventh roller at that same end, while the gearing for

page_text: driving the upper elevator is placed at the front of the machine; the "buttor"
being driven either from the front spindle of the top roller of the lower elevator,
or from the front spindle of the seventh roller. My improvement consists in
placing both sets of gearing more conveniently in one compact cluster at the front
of the machine, as shown in Fig. 10, and arranging the whole so as to be easy of
access for oiling or repairs.
The top roller of the lower elevator is driven by a sprocket wheels mounted on
its rear end spindle in the usual manner. On the front end spindle of this roller is
mounted a driving spur pinion s¹ which, by means of two intermediate pinions >*
and gives motion to a spur pinion s on the spindle of the top roller of the upper
elevator; the lower of these two intermediate pinions also gearing into and
communicating motion from the driving spur pinion to a spur pinion on the
spindle of the seventh roller. This latter pinion is by preference formed in one
with a bevel pinion which gears into a bevel pinion on the "buttor" crank shaft ;
the "buttor" being thus driven direct through the gearing instead of through
the seventh roller, as is the case when part of the gearing is at the back of the
machine.
The upper intermediate pinion s³ is carried on a removable bushing t (Fig. 11)
which fits into a recess u accurately formed in the elevator front plate u', and is
secured by a bolt 2 passing through the plate and the bushing, and having a
washer under the nut, which tightens on the end of the bushing but admits of
the pinion revolving freely on the same. An oil hole t¹ in the boss of the pinion
communicates with an annular chamber formed in the bore of the pinion.
The arrangement for carrying and oiling the lower intermediate pinion &³ is in
every respect similar to that for the upper one, with the exception that in place
of the before-mentioned washer, I secure the arm (Fig. 12) of the bracket v
for carrying the "buttor" crank shaft ; the bracket being further secured by
bolts at , and directly to the elevator front plate. Or by preference the
bracket may
be formed with an extension to the arın v¹ as shown in dotted lines v³,
the extension fitting under the nut of the bolt which secures the bushing of the
upper pinion s³ thereby dispensing with the washer previously described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
1. Forming the front and back bars of the gear frame of a section to fit
between the ribs of the channel section side bars in the manner shown and
described.
2. The manner of forming the gear frame in combination with the arrangement
for supporting the driver's seat at the back of the same.
3. The tipping arrangement as shown and described in reference to Figs. 1
and 2.
4. The splice plate or bracket for connecting the rear bar of the gear frame to
the rear bar of the platform, as shewn and described.
5. Arranging the sprocket wheel which gives motion to the gathering reel, so0
that it may also form a tightening wheel for the chain in the manner shown and
described in reference to Fige. 7 and 8.
6. The manner of attaching the sprocket wheel which drives the packers and
binding apparatus as shown and described.
7. The arrangement of gearing as shown and described in reference to Figs. 10,
11, and 12.
Dated this 23rd day of June 1896
GEO. DAVIES & SON,
4, St. Ann's Square, Manchester, Agents for the Applicant.