IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING AND MOWING MACHINES AND IN APPARATUS FOR SHARPENING THE KNIVES OF SUCH MACHINES
Year: 1869

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Richard Hornsby and James Edwin Phillips,
both of Spittlegate Iron Works, Grantham, in the County of
Lincoln, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING AND MOWING
MACHINES AND IN APPARATUS FOR SHARPENING THE KNIVES OF SUCH
MACHINES."
Sealed the 25th January 1870, and dated the 30th November 1869..
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Richard Hornsby and
James Edwin Phillips at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents,
with their Petition, on the 30th November 1869.
We, RICHARD HORNSBY and JAMES EDWIN PHILLIPS, both of Spittle-
gate Iron Works, Grantham, in the County of Lincoln, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING
AND MOWING MACHINES, AND IN APPARATUS FOR SHARPENING THE KNIVES OF SUCH
MACHINES," to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in reaping and
mowing machines, and in apparatus for sharpening the knives of
such machines.

page_text: In reaping machines in which the cut crop is swept off the platform
of the machine by rakes mounted on arms fixed upon an inclined axis
we give motion to such axis by means of a driving train situate on the
inner side of the main carrying and driving wheel of the machine, and
actuated by the pinion which gears with the ring of teeth on the main
wheel. A small bevilled wheel on the axis of this pinion drives a
bevilled wheel on an intermediate shaft, having at its other end a pinion
working with a wheel on the rake axis.
The main wheel, as heretofore in implements constructed by us, is
carried by a stud upon a toothed quadrant turning on the axis of the
first pinion. The quadrant is set by a screw or other instrument on the
frame of the machine, so that the frame may thus be adjusted to
the height required without deranging the driving gear of the rakes
and other working parts. The rake axis may also be driven direct from
the main wheel, and to admit of this being done where the wheel is
adjustable as to its position in regard to the frame, we make the inter-
mediate shaft telescopic, so that it may elongate or contract to adjust
itself to the position of the main wheel..
In reaping machines having a seat mounted on the pole or on the
front of the machine, and in which the crop is delivered by rakes
revolving on a vertical or inclined axis, in place of making the stem
which carries the seat rigid and nearly upright, as heretofore, we make it
flexible, and by preference of wood, and we set it in an inclined position,
so that it serves as a spring to the seat. In front of the the seat a lever
is mounted on the pole or on the front of the machine for throwing the
machine in and out of gear; it is centred at its lower end and inter-
mediate of its length a connecting rod passes from it to work the clutch.
The lever is acted on by the foot of the driver, he places his foot on a
horizontal arm of the lever, and by pushing it away from the seat he
throws the machine out of gear; when he removes the pressure of his foot
from the lever a spring takes the clutch again into gear, or a notch in
the guide are of the lever may be provided to catch and retain it until
the driver releases it by pressing it sideways with his foot.
In reaping machines it is customary to use inclined prongs on arms
projecting from the front of the machine to lift the crop, if it be laid,
and to divide the standieg crop from the portion taken by the machine.
In practice, however, we find that to work well the inclination of the
prongs requires to be adjusted to suit the condition of the crop; this we

page_text: do by means of an adjustable stay or strut passing from the arm to the
prong, which may be shortened or lengthened at pleasure; the arm and
prong are joined together in front to form an angle, as is usual, and the
adjustment of the stay or strut opens or closes in this angle to the
degree required, and at the same time the stay or strut stiffens the prong:
In some cases we employ two prongs springing from the same arm.
:
We in some cases make the prongs of tempered steel, so that they will
bend freely, but return when the pressure upon them is removed, and
we make the prong of such a section that it will yield readily in the
direction towards its supporting arm, and be comparatively rigid in other
directions. By this arrangement when the crop hangs heavily to the
prong it yields downwards and allows it to escape, but when the crop
passes more freely, the prong stands up to its full height and acts
effectually to lift or divide the crop.
In mowing machines having two main or driving wheels we mount
the inclined axis of the crank which drives the knife, and all the gear by
which this inclined axis is actuated from the ring of teeth on the main
wheel, upon a frame hung directly on the axle and immoveable except
around the axle as a centre. This frame we mount upon the axle
between the pole of the machine and the inner wheel, so that only a
short connecting rod, which can work entirely within the cleared track,
is required. A clutch is used to connect the first pinion with its axis;
and disconnect it therefrom when required. The finger bars of reaping
and mowing machines we roll or form with a longitudinal rib on the
under side, and the fingers are formed to fit to the front edge and under
side of the finger bar. They are recessed to receive the rib, and each
finger is held in its place by a through bolt. The rib serves to steady.
the finger and prevent any lateral strain being thrown on the bolt.
In order that the cutting edges of the fingers may be renewed when.
they wear, we provide each finger with a separate wearing piece or plate.
for the knife to work upon; its fore end is made to enter a recess.made-
for it. at the front of the finger notch or opening, and is so held in place,
and the hinder end of the wearing piece or plate is made with a lug
passing beneath the finger bar and is so secured.. The wearing piece
or plate can at once be removed when the finger is. taken off the
finger bar.
To grind the knives of reaping and mowing machines we employ a
stand consisting of a cast frame supported on three wrought iron or

page_text: other legs, two in front arranged like the letter A, and the third pro-
jecting to the rear from the top of the frame, and having a seat it.
upon
The cross bar in the front of the frame has a stud upon it, to which a
band wheel driven by a connecting rod and treadle is mounted. The
treadle consists of a foot plate mounted on a transverse axis at the back,
and jointed to the connecting rod in front. An arm with a cross head
projects from the back of the treadle plate behind the axis, and the
workman places one foot on this cross head and the other on the treadlo
plate, the motion of the feet is then alternate and more effective than
when the feet are both placed on a treadle plate and moved in unison.
The band wheel which the treadle drives gives motion to a pulley on
an axis mounted horizontally in bearings at the top of the frame, and
passing from the front to back thereof. The axis has upon it a small
grindstone or grinding block dipping into a shallow trough for water,
bolted to the frame and wide, enough to admit of the grindstone or
grinding block being taken off its spindle without removing the trough.
On either side of the trough there are arms to receive clamps in which
the knife is held after it has been ground, whilst the edges are finished
with a hand stone or file.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent;
filed by the said Richard Hornsby and James Edwin Phillips in the
Great Seal Patent Office on the 30th May 1870.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, RICHARD
HORNSBY and JAMES EDWIN PHILLIPS, both of Spittlegate Iron Works,
Grantham, in the County of Lincoln, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Thirtieth day of November, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, in the thirty-
third year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto us, the said Richard Hornsby and James Edwin Phillips,
Her special licence, that we, the said Richard Hornsby and James Edwin
Phillips, our executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as we,
the said Richard Hornsby and James Edwin Phillips, our executors,
administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term

page_text: therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
REAPING AND MOWING MACHINES, AND IN APPARATUS FOR SHARPENING THE KNIVES
OF SUCH MACHINES," upon the condition (amongst others) that we, the said
Richard Hornsby and James Edwin Phillips, our executors or adminis-
trators, by an instrument in writing under our or their hands and seals,
or under the hand and seal of one of us or them, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed
in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said Richard Hornsby and James
Edwin Phillips, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement thereof,
that is to say:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in reaping and mowing
machines, and in apparatus for sharpening the knives of such machines.
In reaping machines in which the cut crop is swept off the platform
of the machine by rakes mounted on arms fixed upon an inclined axis we
give motion to such axis by means of a driving train situate on the inner
side of the main carrying and driving wheel of the machine and actuated
by the pinion which gears with the ring of teeth on the main wheel.
A small bevilled wheel on the axis of this pinion drives a bevilled.
wheel on an intermediate shaft having at its other end á pinion working
with a wheel on the rake axis. The main wheel, as heretofore in
implements constructed by us, is carried by a stud upon a toothed
quadrant turning on the axis of the first pinion. The quadrant is set
by a screw or other instrument on frame of the machine, so that the
frame may thus be adjusted to the height required without deranging
the driving gear of the rakes, and other working parts.
Figure 1 shows a reaping machine with the rakes thus driven.
Parts not necessary for the explanation of the Invention are omitted.
Figure 2 is a side view of the machine.
a, a, is the frame, and to it is fixed the pole 6 to which the-horses
are harnessed; c is an axis carried by this frame, and upon it is the arm
or quadrant d carrying the stud or centre e. of the main supporting

page_text: wheelf. The arm d has an arc of teeth upon it engaging with the
screw g, so that by turning this screw the height of the main wheel f
in relation to the frame a, can be adjusted; on the wheelf there is an
internal ring of teeth, and these teeth gear with a pinion c¹ on the axis c
which is thus rotated when the machine is drawn forward. The same
axis also carries a bevilled wheel c, which in the usual way by a bevilled
pinion and an inclined shaft with a crank upon it drives the knife; c' is
also a pinion on the axis c, it gears with the bevilled wheel h¹ on the
axis; this axis is carried by a bracket a¹ mounted on the top of
the frame a, and the axis i of the rake arms is carried on the same
bracket, and upon it is a wheel gearing with the pinion h² on the axis h;
k is the platform of the machine on to which the cut crop falls and
from which it is swept off by the rakes; the rake axis may also be
driven direct from the main wheel, and to admit of this being done,
where the wheel is adjustable as to its position in regard to the frame,
we make the intermediate shaft telescopic so that it may elongate or
contract to adjust itself to the position of the main wheel.
This arrangement is shown in front view at Figure 3. The axis of the
wheel has in this case a pinion e¹ upon it, and it also carries in a
socket one end of a telescopic shaft h. At h* a universal joint is formed
in this shaft to admit of its driving freely when its two ends are to a
small extent inclined the one to the other. At h', on the axis h, is a
pinion gearing with the pinion e¹ and at h² another pinion gearing with
the ring of bevilled teeth upon the axis i of the rake arms.
We claim the arrangements for actuating the rake arms from the
adjustable main carrying wheel of the machine by means of a driving
train on the inner side of the wheel substantially as described.
In reaping machines having a seat mounted on the pole, or on the
front of the machine, and in which the crop is delivered by rakes re-
volving on a vertical or inclined axis in place of making the stem which
carries the seat rigid and nearly upright, as heretofore, we make it flexible
and by preference of wood, and we set it in an inclined position so that
it serves as a spring to the seat.
Figure 4 shows a side view of a pole connected with the fore part of
the frame of a reaping machine and carrying a seat supported in this
manner. a is the fore part of the frame of the machine; b, the pole, and
c, the seat, which is supported from the pole in a position clear of the
rake arms. The seat is carried not by an upright stem as heretofore

page_text: but by the long ashen staff c¹, which in consequence of its clasticity,
favoured by the position in which it is placed, serves as a spring and.
prevents the sudden jolts to which the machine is exposed on uneven.
ground from being transmitted to the rider.
We claim the mounting of seats on the poles of reaping machines:
substantially as described.
Our Invention also relates to an arrangement of mechanism. mounted
on the pole of the machine, or on the front of the machine, for throwing"
the machine in and out of gear. It consists of a lever centred at its lower
end, and intermediate of its length a connecting rod passes from it to
work the clutch. The lever is acted on by the foot of the driver, he
places his foot on a horizontal arm of the lever and by pushing it away
from the seat he throws the machine out of gear; when he removes the
pressure of his foot from the lever a spring takes the clutch again into
gear, or a catch may be provided to retain it until the driver releases
it with his foot.
This arrangement is also seen at Figure 4, and it is shown in plan at
Figure 5. d is a foot lever jointed to the pole at its lower end; e is a rod"
passing from it and by a chain e' running over a pulley connecting
it with the lever f. The fulcrum of this lever is upon the frame
of the machine, and its further end is connected with the fork f*
which controls the driving pinion. When the parts are in the position
in which they are shown in the Drawing the machine is out of gear,
the driving pinion having been drawn by the fork away from the ring:
of teeth which actuates it. The lever d is held in its present position by
a weighted catch g which engages with the horizontal arm of the lever;
this catch, when it is desired to start the machine, the driver releases with
his foot, and a spring with which the driving pinion is provided then
immediately throws it into gear. A front view of the lever d, together
with a portion of the pole, is shown at Figure 6.
We claim the arrangement of apparatus substantially as described to
enable the driver by means of his foot to throw the machine out of gear.
In reaping machines it is customary to use inclined prongs on arms
projecting from the front of the machine to lift the crop if it be laid, and
to divide the standing crop from the portion taken by the machine. In
practice, however, we find that to work well the inclination of the prongs
requires to be adjusted to suit the condition of the crop; this we do by

page_text: means of an adjustable stay or strut passing from the arm to the prong,
which may be shortened or lengthened at pleasure. The arm and prong
are joined together in front to form an angle as is usual, and the adjust-
ment of the stay or strut opens or closes in this angle to the degree
required, and at the same time the stay or strut stiffens the prong. In
some cases we employ two prongs springing from the same arm.
is an
Figure 7 shows a side view, and Figure 8 a front view of a divider or
lifter with a prong or arm adjustable according to our Invention. It is
attached to the inner or outer end of the finger bar to divide or raise the
standing crop and present it suitably to the cutters. a is an arm fixed
to the finger bar; and b, b, are prongs springing from it;
adjustable stay serving both to stiffen and to adjust the height of the
upper prong. The stay, as the Drawing shows, is made in two parts,
which are serrated; they are placed together in the position required,
and there held by a screw bolt. It is not essential that two prongs should
be used, and when two prongs are used each may be provided with an
adjustable stay. The adjustable stay is however especially useful as
applied to the upper prong, which has the principal part of the lifting
of the crop. to perform. The adjustment of the upper prong will be
regulated according to the condition of the crop; if it is very much
laid and tangled the prong should not stand so high as it may when the
crop is in better condition.
We claim the constructing the lifting and dividing prongs of reaping
machines with adjustable stays, substantially as described.
We in some cases make the prongs of tempered steel, so that they will
bend freely but return when the pressure upon them is removed, and we
make the prong of such a section that it will yield readily in the direction
towards its supporting arm, and comparatively rigid in other directions.
By this arrangement when the crop hangs heavily to the prong it yields
downwards and allows it to escape, but when the crop passes more freely
the prong stands up
to its full height and acts effectually to lift or divide
the crop.
Figure 9 is a side view, Figure 10 a transverse section of a spring
dividing or lifting prong thus constructed, and we claim the construction
thereof substantially as shewn.
The finger bars of reaping and mowing machines we roll or form with
a longitudinal rib on the under side, and the fingers are formed to fit to

page_text: the front edge and under side of the finger bar; they are recessed to
receive the rib, and each finger is held in its place by a through bolt.
The rib serves to steady the finger and prevent any lateral strain being
thrown on the bolt.
Figure 11 is a side view of a finger combined with the finger bar in
the manner described. a is the finger, and 6 the finger bar; 6' is the
rib upon the finger bar entering corresponding recesses in the fingers;
c is the bolt and nut securing the finger to the finger bar. Figure 12
shows two of the fingers in plan with the finger bar removed.
3.
We claim the construction of the finger with a groove on its under
side, and combining the same with the ribbed finger bar, substantially as
described.
In order that the cutting edges of the fingers may be removed when
they wear we provide each finger with a separate wearing piece or plate
for the knife to work upon; this piece or plate is so arranged that when
the finger is off the finger bar the piece or plate can readily be slidden in
or out of its place upon the finger, but when the finger is fixed to the
finger bar the finger bar serves to hold the wearing piece or plate.
securely in its place. In Figures 11 and 12 a¹ is the wearing piece or
plate, made by preference of cast steel or malleable iron; it is forked at
its fore end, and there enters a recess made for it at the front of the
finger notch or opening, and is so held in place at its hinder end; at a¹
it has a lug which passes beneath the finger bar, and so the wearing
piece or plate is kept from rising. Figure 13 is a section taken at the
line 1, 1, Figure 11.
Figure 14 shews in plan another form which may be given to the
parts. Figure 15 is a section taken at the line 1, 1, Figure 14. In this
case the wearing plate a¹ is dovetailed at the rear end of the finger. The
finger bar is not in this case employed to prevent the piece. or plate
rising, but it still serves to lock it in its place and prevent it from
escaping endwise from its groove.
:
:
Figure 16 shews a section in which the dovetail is continued from end
to end of the wearing piece or plate, and it then forms a substitute for
the retaining notches of the fore end of the finger.
Figure 17 is another section in which the dividing piece or plate is in
two parts.
3

page_text: . In both of these arrangements the finger bar acts to keep the wearing
parts in their places in the manner already described.
We claim as respects this part of our Invention the constructing the
fingers of reaping and mowing machines with moveable wearing pieces
or plates held in their places by the finger bar, but when the finger is
separated from the finger bar free to be removed, substantially as herein
described.
To grind the knives of reaping and mowing machines we employ a
stand consisting of a cast frame supported on three wrought iron or other
-legs, two in front arranged like the letter A, and the third projecting to
the rear from the top of the frame, and having a seat upon it. The cross
bar in the front of the frame has a stud upon it, on which a band wheel
driven by a connecting rod and treadle is mounted. The treadle consists
of a foot plate mounted on a transverse axis at the back, and jointed to
the connecting rod in front. An arm with a cross head projects from
the back of the treadle plate behind the axis, and the workman places
one foot on the cross head and the other on the treadle plate. The
motion of the feet is then alternate and more effective than when the
fect are both placed on a treadle plate and moved in unison. The band
wheel, which the treadle drives, gives motion to a pulley on an axis
mounted horizontally in bearings at the top of the frame, and passing
from the front to back thereof. The axis has upon it a small grindstone
or grinding block dipping into a shallow trough for water bolted to the
frame, and wide enough to admit of the grindstone or grinding block
being taken off its spindle without removing the trough. On either side
of the trough there are arms to receive clamps in which the knife is held
after it has been ground, whilst the edges are finished with a hand stone
or file.
Figure 18 is a side view, and Figure 19 a front view of this apparatus;
Figure 20 is a horizontal section thereof. a is a cast frame, and b, b,
three legs on which it is supported; a' is a cross bar connecting the two
front legs and forming part of the casting a; it carries a stud on which
the wheel c is mounted. d is a connecting rod actuating the wheel; it
passes to the treadle e constructed in the manner already stated. f is a
seat for the workman fixed on the curved leg b. A band encircling the
wheel c drives a pulley on the axis g carried by the frame a. h is the
grindstone or grinding block on this axis; it revolves in a water trough.

page_text: a, a, are arms on the casting a; and k, k, are clamps capable of being
fixed upon these arms, and serving to hold the knife whilst its edges are
finished after grinding with a hand stone or file.
We claim the construction of apparatus for sharpening the knives of
reaping and mowing machines substantially as described.
In witness whereof, we, the said Richard Hornsby and James
Edwin Phillips, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this
Twenty-seventh day of May, in the year of our Lord One thou-
sand eight hundred and seventy.
RICHARD HORNSBY.
(L.S.)
JAMES EDWIN PHILLIPS. (L.S.)