IMPROVEMENTS IN HARVESTING MACHINES FOR REAPING AND BINDING
Year: 1883

page_text: :
LETTERS PATENT to The Reverend John Wild B A. of Tetney in the County
of Lincoln Clerk in Holy Orders for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
HARVESTING MACHINES FOR REAPING AND BINDING"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Wild at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 30th May 1883.
The Reverend JOHN WILD, B.A. of Tetney in the County of Lincoln Clerk in
Holy Orders IMPROVEMENTS' IN HARVESTING MACHINES FOR REAPING
BINDING
AND
My invention consists of improvements in Mechanism or apparatus chiefly
designed to be attached to a Reaping or Harvesting Machine for automically
erecting the crop and collecting it as it is cut into sheaves or bundles, and binding
the same with band or other suitable material
The objects of this invention are compactness of arrangement, increased simplicity
of construction lightness of draught and reduced liability to derangement in the
parts of the machine
The above named objects are accomplished chiefly by a novel arrangement or
device for collecting the crop as it is cut into bundles or sheaves, and for carrying
the band around the same, so as to form properly bound sheaves, that is to say, the
cut corn is retained throughout the process in a standing, or nearly erect position,
instead of being laid down on a platform or table, and there bound in a horizontal
position
My invention is carried into practice in the following way-In place of the
ordinary platform I attach to the reaper a strong and suitably shaped framework
or platform, on the upper side of which and near to the back or rear of the knife-bar
are supports carrying ribs of sheet iron or other material suitably disposed in two
sets. These ribs are carried upwards, one being placed above the other, with a
space or interval between them, each rib extending from one extremity of the
cutting knives to a point near the middle of the said cutting knives, where they
are curved and carried towards the back or rear of the machine leaving an opening
ID 071

page_text: or passage between them communicating with the sheaf space. As these ribs are
arranged in a position either perpendicular or inclining backwards the crop, as it is
cut, rests against them in a standing position
At the back or rear of each of these sets of ribs is a device carrying spikes or
fingers so disposed as to pass freely through and along the space or interval between
each of the said ribs, and to project sufficiently far in front of them to securely catch,
hold, and move the cut crop resting against the said ribs. As these spikes or fingers
are arranged in rows and have a forward, sideways and retiring motion, they move
the cut crop by successive steps or stages towards the before named opening or
passage, and then through or along the said passage into an enclosed space near
the binding arm
Having thus stated how the cut crop is collected into sheaves or bundles, I now
proceed to describe the binding mechanism
The binding arm consists of a piece of iron, curved or straight, carrying at its
free end the device or mechanism for holding the band, tying the knot, and cutting
the band. At its opposite end the said binding arm is firmly secured to an upright
shaft which revolves in suitable bearings attached to the before named framework
or platform. The upper face of this binding arm is horizontally disposed and so
arranged as to allow the band to pass freely over it during its revolution, by which
device the band being securely held by the gripper near the free end of the said
binding arm is carried around the sheaf and the two ends are brought together
ready for the operation of tying the knot
The mechanism for tying the knot, which as already stated is attached to the
free end of the binding arm, is enclosed in a suitable framework or box, which is
provided with one or more openings or slits, into which the ends of the band are
inserted preparatory to tying the knot The band being thus placed is caught by a
moveable finger within the said box and held in a proper position for the knot
tying mechanism to operate upon it. This device consists of two principal parts-
one for forming the loop, and the other for liberating the loop and securely holding
the ends to be drawn through the loop. As soon as the band has been placed in
position by the said movable finger it is caught by the curved point of the looping
apparatus, which by its rotary motion forms the loop, bringing the two ends which
are to be cut off underneath a movable projection or jaw which descends upon
them and holds them securely until the ends are cut, the loop liberated and drawn
over them and the knot thus completed. the jaws are then opened and the bound
sheaf is liberated While the knot is thus being formed the sheaf is carried for wards
by the binding arm towards the edge of the platform and falls to the ground
through an opening automatically provided for that purpose in one side of the
sheaf space
The sheaf is separated in the following manner Adjoining to and connected
with the before named passage between the two sets of ribs, is the sheaf space
wherein the cut corn is collected in quantities sufficient to form a sheaf. While
this operation is in process the binding arm is revolving carrying the band around
the accumulating sheaf or bundle. But in case of a thin or uneven crop the said
binding arm is provided with an automatic device which stops its onward move.
iment until a full sized sheaf has been collected in the sheaf space When this is done
the pressure of the said sheaf on one of the upright sides of the sheaf space.
liberates the binding arm, which in its onward movement passes across the neck of
the before named opening or passage and thus separates the sheaf or bundle around
which the band is placed from the residue of the cut crop in the said passage. The
onward movement of the binding arm then brings the knotting apparatus into
motion, as above described, and discharges the bound sheaf. On its advancing or
concave side the binding arm carries an elastic spring which acts partly as a
compressor and partly assists in discharging the bound sheaf
The band as it is drawn from the reel or other device passes through an eye in a
lever which serves the double purpose of holding the band in its proper position
and pressing it into the opening or slit in the knotting mechanism. This latter

page_text: action is effected by a notch on the knotter box or binding arm acting on a stud or
knotch on the said lever and giving it a downward action at the proper moment
whereby the band is pressed into the said opening or slit. To render this action
more certain a second lever is also used with an action partly or wholly independent
of the former lever.
This invention is made applicable to crops of varying height or length of straw
by means of an incline or elevator and a noveable platform. In case of a short
crop these are placed in the before named passage and sheaf space and by this
means the crop is raised or elevated in the sheaf space, so that the band passes
around it in a proper position for binding the same. As this invention relates to
binding cut crops in an erect or standing position, it includes a device for raising
a laid crop, or bringing it into an erect position before it is cut. This important.
object is accomplished by placing at intervals along the knife bar points or rods
carrying moveable levers. These are by the onward motion of the reaper thrust
underneath the laid or inclining crop and by the upward motion of the levers raise
the crop into a better position for cutting and gathering into sheaves. To further
assist in this object the machine is provided with a revolving wheel which inclines.
the crop towards the knives and gathering fingers.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Wild in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 30th November
1883.
The Reverend JOHN WILD B:A of Tetney in the County of Lincoln Clerk in
Holy Orders
"IMPROVEMENTS IN HARVESTING MACHINES FOR REAPING AND
BINDING
"
My Invention consists of Improvements in mechanism or apparatus chiefly
designed to be attached to a Reaping or Harvesting Machine for automatically
erecting the crop and collecting it as it is cut into sheaves or bundles, and binding
the same with band or other suitable material
The objects of this invention are compactness of arrangement, increased
simplicity of construction, lightness of draught, and reduced liability to derange-
ment in the parts of the machine
The above named objects are accomplished chiefly by a novel arrangement or
device for collecting the crop as it is cut into bundles or sheaves and for carrying
the band around the same so as to form properly bound sheaves, that is to say, the
cut corn is retained throughout the process in a standing or nearly erect position,
instead of being laid down on a platform or table and there bound in a horizontal
position
My invention is carried into practice in the following way In place of the
ordinary platform I attach to the reaper a strong and suitably shaped framework
or platform on the upper side of which and near to the back or rear of the
knife-bar are supports carrying ribs of sheet iron or other material suitably
disposed in two sets These ribs are carried upwards one being placed above the
other with a space or interval between them, each rib extending from one
extremity of the cutting knives to a point near the middle of the said cutting
knives, where they are curved and carried towards the back or rear of the machine,
leaving an opening or passage between them communicating with the sheaf space.
As these ribs are arranged in a position either perpendicular or inclining backwards
(preferably the latter) the crop, as it is cut, rests against them in a standing
position.
At the back or rear of each of these ribs is a device carrying spikes or fingers so
disposed as to pass freely through and along the space or interval between each of
the said ribs, and to project sufficiently far in front of them to securely catch, hold,
and move the cut crop resting against the said ribs. As these spikes or fingers are
arranged in rows and have a forward, sideways, and retiring motion, they move
the cut crop by successive steps or stages towards the before named opening or
passage, and then through or along the said passage into an enclosed space near the
binding arm, called the sheaf space
Having thus stated how the cut crop is collected into sheaves or bundles, I now
proceed to describe the binding mechanism
The binding arm consists of a piece of iron curved or straight carrying at its free
end the device or mechanism for holding the band, tying the knot, and cutting the
band. At its opposite end the said binding arm is firmly secured to an upright
shaft which revolves in suitable bearings attached to the before named framework
or platform The upper face of this binding arm is horizontally disposed and so
arranged as to allow the band to pass freely over it during its revolution; by
which device, the band being securely held by the gripper near the free end of the
said binding arm, is carried around the sheaf and the two ends are brought
together ready for the operation of tying the knot

page_text: The mechanism for tying the knot which is already stated is attached to the free
end of the binding arm is enclosed in a suitable framework or box, which is
provided with one or more openings or slits, into which the ends of the band are
inserted preparatory to tying the knot
The band being thus placed is caught first by a moveable finger within the box,
then by the gripper, and held in a proper position for the knot-tying mechanism to
operate upon it. This device consists of two principal parts, one for forming the
loop and securely holding the ends to be drawn through the loop. and the other for
liberating the loop. As soon as the band has been placed in position by the said
moveable finger it is caught by the curved point of the looping apparatus, which
by its rotary motion forms the loop, bringing the two ends which are, to be cut off
between its jaws which close upon them and hold them securely until the ends are
cut, the loop liberated and drawn over them, and the knot thus completed. The
jaws are then opened and the bound sheaf is liberated. While the, knot is thus
being formed the sheaf is carried forwards by the binding arm towards the edge of
the platform and falls to the ground through an opening automatically provided for
that purpose in one side of the sheaf space
The sheaf is separated in the following manner
Adjoining to and connected with the before named passage between the two sets
of ribs is the sheaf space wherein the cut corn is collected in quantities sufficient
to form a sheaf. While this operation is in process the binding arm is revolving
carrying the band around the accumulating sheaf or bundle But in case of a thin
or uneven crop the said binding arm is provided with an automatic device which
stops its onward movement until a full sized sheaf has been collected in the sheaf
space. When this is done the pressure of the said sheaf on one of the upright
sides of the sheaf space liberates the binding arm which in its onward movement
passes across the neck of the before named opening or passage, and thus separates
the sheaf or bundle around which the band is placed from the residue of the cut
crop in the said passage. This object is further secured by means of a spoke-like
arrangement working in or across the end of the passage. pushing the cut crop by
portions into the sheaf space and forming a barrier or division between the corn
in the sheaf space and that in the passage The onward movement of the binding
arm then brings the knotting apparatus, into motion, as above described and
discharges the bound sheaf. On its advancing or concave side the binding arm
carries an elastic spring which acts partly as a compressor and partly assists in
discharging the bound sheaf. The band as it is drawn from the reel or other
device passes through an eye in a lever which serves the double purpose of holding
the band in its proper position and pressing it into the opening or slit in the
knotting mechanism. This latter action is effected by a notch on the knotter-box
or binding arm acting on a stud or notch on the said lever and giving it a down-
ward motion at the proper moment, whereby the band is pressed into the said
opening or slit. To render this action more certain a catch and a second lever are
also used to bring the band into a suitable position for entering the slit
This invention is made applicable to crops of varying height or length of straw
by means of an incline or elevator placed in the before-named passage, and a
moveable platform in the sheaf space. By this means, the crop is raised or
elevated in the sheaf space so that the band passes around it in a proper position
for binding the same
As this Invention relates to binding cut crops in an erect or standing position
it includes a device or devices for raising a laid crop or bringing it into an erect
position before it is cut This important object is accomplished First by placing
at intervals along the knife bar points or rods carrying moveable levers. These
are, by the onward motion of the Reaper, thrust underneath the laid or inclining
crop, and by the upward motion of the levers raise the crop into a more erect or
better position for cutting and gathering into sheaves. To further assist in this
object the machine is, secondly, provided with a revolving wheel with moveable
bars carrying projecting fingers. These bars dip into the crop and as they rise

page_text: towards the iron ribs the said projecting fingers, by their upward movement
further raise the corn into an erect position and incline it towards the knife bar
and the said framework of iron ribs But in case the laid crop should lean
towards the knife-bar, and the two before named devices prove ineffectual to raise
it, a third device is then employed This consists of levers working erecting rods
or bars in front of some of the lower of the said iron ribs By means of a cam
and levers these rods are made to work upwards in front of and downwards at the
rear of sheet iron plates, or plates of other material attached to the face of certain
of the before named iron ribs. And by this means the crop which would otherwise
bend or double up against the iron ribs, is carried upwards along their surface and
thus brought into an erect position
My invention is more particularly shewn and illustrated in the accompanying
Drawings, in which,―
Figure 1 is a front elevation shewing how the binding mechanism is attached to
the Reaper, the two sets of ribs with the passage between them, portions of the
lifting apparatus and of the teeth of the Rakes
Figure 2 is an end elevation, shewing more accurately the position of the
gathering and lifting wheel, also the position of the Binding arm, the main shaft,
and the gearing whereby the motive power is communicated to the main shaft
from the Road wheel of the Reaper
Figure 3 is a horizontal section of the platform, shewing the lower portion of
it, which is partly covered and the shafts with the various cams and pinions which
they carry.
Figure 4 shews the arrangement of the upper platform, with the position of the
bearings for the gathering rakes and the sheaf space &
Figure 5 is a horizontal section on the line Z Z (Figure 3) shewing the gearing
of the gathering rakes, the binding arm, and the locking apparatus
Figure 6, is a section of the knotting mechanism, shewing the position and
construction of the Looper and the pinions whereby it is operated, also its
attachment to the binding arm.
The other Figures shew detached portions and modifications of my Invention
and are hereinafter particularly described.
Similar letters indicate similar or corresponding parts of the machine throughout
the Drawings
A. A. (Fig. 1) is the framework erected on the platform A¹. (Fig. 3) for the
purpose of supporting the sheet iron ribs &c. B. B shew the arrangement of
the said ribs. W is the opening or passage to the sheaf space G. g, g indicate
the gathering and lifting wheel. E. E. are the fingers carrying the lifting levers-
F is the knife-bar and P is the road or travelling wheel.
By the onward movement of the Reaper the gathering wheel G. g, is made to
revolve by means of the chains and wheels P2, J' P³. and P. and is so arranged by
the moveable fastening on A (Fig. 2) as to dip a suitable depth into the standing
or uncut crop. Its motion, which can be varied, is somewhat quicker than that of
the travelling wheel, and it thus inclines the crop towards the iron ribs. In case
the crop should incline or be laid across the path of the Reaper the fingers g¹ g¹
will dip under it and raise it into an erect or standing position. This action is
continued as long as necessary to erect the crop. when one or more of the projecting
fingers g (Figs. 1 and 7) catches against an adjustable stud or notch ³ (Fig. 2) at
the same time the lever (Fig. 7) which is attached to the arm of the gathering
wheel G comes against the notch (Fig. 7) and is forced backwards from the said
arm, and thus withdraws the catch and allows the rib or bar g of the said
gathering wheel to be pressed from a position parallel to the arm of G to one at
right angles to the same. By this movement the teeth or fingers g¹ dip downwards
and so slip out of the cut crop, leaving it against the iron ribs and within reach of
the teeth of the gathering rakes. d (Figs. 1 and 5) By this action the opposite rib
or bar, being connected by the rod or lever 7 (Figs 2 and 7) is thrown into a
L

page_text: position parallel to the arm of G where it is held by the catch
and raise the next portion of the crop in like manner.
ready to dip into
In case of a badly laid crop the projecting fingers E. E. (Fig. 1) with their
moveable lifting levers e (Fig 5) must be used These operate as follows On the
3 main shaft J (Fig 3) are the cams J J Against these cans and worked by them
are levers e² (Fig: 8) raising the lifting lever e by means of the connecting levers es
and e' which pass as closely as possible underneath the knife bar E and bearing f
At the lever e³ is pivotted to e' which again is pivotted to e at e. At e the
lever e is provided with an axle carrying a small runner which when e is pushed
by the rising portion of the Cam passes along the upper face of E and so raises the
lifting lever e. When the lifting action is completed its own weight and the
pressure of the crop, as it passes underneath it, will bring the said lever down
again to its former position. These levers, of which more or fewer may be used,
may act simultaneously, singly, or in alternate pairs, as may best suit the crop.
Should the laid crop point towards the advancing Reaper, it is then raised by
means of another device. On the front or face of such of the iron ribs as may be
necessary I place another piece of sheet iron or other suitable material, as shewn in
Fig 9. B, B represents two ribs. On the face of these I fix the plates b, b, leaving
a space between them and the rib B with the open end towards the lever Q2 (Fig*
2. 9 and 10) On this lever are rods b¹ (Fig 9) capable of passing freely between
the plates b and B and so disposed that when Qis being raised these rods pass
upwards along the outer face of b and so carry the portion of the crop pressing
upon or against it upwards into a more erect position. When this motion is nearly
completed the projection (Fig: 9 and 9ª) will come against the incline q' attached
to the bearing or framework A as shewn in Figs 9 9a and 10, and is forced towards
the surface of B and thus made to pass in its downward movement at the back or
rear of the plate b, entirely freeing itself from all contact with the crop in its
descending motion. Near the bottom part of its motion the said projection comes
in contact with the incline q2 whereby the projection or stud q is thrown to the
front of the guide q and the rods are again brought upwards on the face of b.
The lever Q is actuated by means of the levers Q and Q and the Cam J. One
set of such levers being provided for each of the sets of ribs
The crop erected by any or all of the aforesaid, means and cut stands on the
upper surface of the knife bar F, and leans against the ribs B. The fingers of the
gathering rakes d (Fig 1 and 5) then operate upon it and move it towards and
along the passage W. These fingers are attached to the framework D as shewn in
Fig 1, 5, and 11. This framework has bearings d' carrying the rake on the axles
of the cranks h (Fig 4 and 11a) which are moved in the direction indicated by the
arrows (Fig 4) giving the rakes a circular motion in a horizontal plane This
motion is given by means of the pinions J³, Js (Fig: 3) acting on the smaller
pinions (Fig 11) placed on the shaft of the cranks h'. The horizontal rotary
inotion thus communicated to the rakes gives to their spikes teeth or gathering
fingers an advancing, sidewise and retiring motion. The spikes are thus brought
into contact with the cut crop and move it by successive stages towards the sheaf
space The two rakes may advance and retire simultaneously or alternately. I
preper [sic] the alternate motion as shown in Fig 1 and 4 but claim the right to
use either.
The cut crop being by these means brought into the passage W is assisted in its
movement towards the sheaf space by the endless web W₁ (Fig 4) which passing
over the wheels W* and W³ is revolved by the ribbed wheel W³, which in its turn
is actuated by another ribbed wheel J (Fig 3) which is fixed on the main shaft J,
the ribs of the two wheels acting as cogs. In preference to these said wheels I may
use other wheels with a combination of cogs and chains. This endless webb
answers a double purpose. Besides assisting to move the cut crop towards the
sheaf space, it is inclined upwards and so raises the crop when short in the straw
to the level of the moveable platform hereafter to be described.
The cut crop is thus passed onwards until it comes against the spokes or

page_text: arms v. v¹ of the device V₁ (Fig 4)
placed on a perpendicular shaft
Two or more of these spoke like wheels are
(Fig 2) the lower one a little above the platform
of the sheaf space, and the other below the level of the binding arm. These
spokes are moved by the lever V, driving the cogwheel which is also placed on
the shaft vthe said lever deriving its motion from the rake working over h³ or
from a separate cam and lever. These spokes by a movement from v to v pass
the cut corn by successive portions into the sheaf space T. As they do so the
advancing arm passes over a catch at vand is there held, so that as the sheaf is
collected pressure is put upon it by each succeeding arm or spoke as it arrives
A further use of these spokes is that they form a division between the cut
crop in the passage and that in the sheaf space, affording a clear opening for the
passage of the Binding arm and effectually separating the bound sheaf from the
loose portion of the cut crop following. Each of these arms is cleared from the
crop or accumulating bundle in the sheaf space by the curved form of that end of
the sheaf space as shewn at i (Fig 2 and 4
at v.
While the sheaf is thus being collected in the sheaf space T (Fig 4 and 5) in an
upright position, the Binding arm L1 (Figs 2, 4 and 5) is revolving in the direction
indicated in Fig 2 and carrying the band around it. This onward motion is
continued until the head or point of the said Binding arm arrives over V₁ where it
is arrested by a locking apparatus, hereafter to be described and there retained,
until sufficient of the cut crop is collected in the sheaf space to form a sheaf.
When this is accomplished the pressure exerted by the arms v, v &o is com-
mmunicated through the sheaf to the moveable side of the sheaf space, O2 (Figs 2
and 5) which acting as a lever, presses on the stud 04, thus releasing the locking
mechanism and causing the Binding arm to resume its onward motion.
It will be well here to describe more particularly the locking apparatus used It
consists of a moveable plate x (Figs 12 and 12") which is placed immediately
beneath the platform T' (Fig 6) and rests on bearings placed on A¹, A¹. Screws
or bolts pass through the slots a' at either end and allow it a backward and
forward motion. When the Binding arm is in motion the stud or runner ² rides
on the rim of the cam³ (the upper of the two cams on the Shaft of the Binding
arm above the pinion L'),. As the Binding arm progresses this cam revolves until
it brings the bevelled stud xt (Fig 13) against the bevelled stud on the
moveable plate (Fig 12ª) By this time the opening or drop on the rim of the
said cam ³ is opposite the stud x². The thrust thus communicated to the plate
by the stud assisted by the pressure of a spring brings the stud x into the said
opening or drop and arrests the onward progress of the Binding arm. By the
same movement the claw (Figs 12" and 14 which spans the locking slide or
cam k (Fig 3. 5 and 15) pushes the said slide back from the pinion ¹ (Fig 3) and
withdraws the notches at its end from the corresponding notches or studs attached
to the rear of the said pinion k¹ (Fig 16 and 17) The locking cam k fits freely on
the shaft K (Fig 3) but is caused to revolve with the shaft by means of a key
and groove, while the pinion e' which also fits freely on the shaft is caused to
revolve by means of the interlocking of the said studs It is evident therefore
that so long as the notch or runner x² remains in the opening or drop in the rim of
the said cam, the Binding arm will remain stationery, but that if pressure is
communicated to the stud 04, as indicated, it will force the plate in a direction
opposite to its former motion, move the stud out of the drop, and at the same time
interlock the studs on k and le' and so cause the Binding Arm to resume its
onward motion.
I now proceed to describe the mechanism for carrying the band around the sheaf
tying the knot, cutting the band &*.
The knotter, as already stated is attached to the free end of the Binding Ari
as represented by L³ (Fig 2 and 6) The band held by the gripper 10 (Fig 6
and 6b) is carried onwards by the Binding arm And as the slit 26 (Fig. 6° and 6
where the gripper holds it above the level of the upper surface of the Binding
arm E (Figª 6, 6° and 6d) the band moves freely above the Binding arm. Thi

page_text: brings the said band from lying along the outer side of the knotter box to be
extended across it, as shewn in Fig 6° when the said arm has performed nearly
3th of its revolution after tying the knot. This position appears the most
favourable for placing the band in the slit 17 (Figs 61 and 6) so as to cause it to lie
across and upon the gripper wheel. It is possible that this may generally be done
automatically but to remove uncertainty I place a Y shaped lever on the side of
the knotter box opposite to that on which the gripper is placed and in a line with
the aforesaid slit This is pivotted at the junction of the three arms and of such a
size as when in the position indicated the two upper arms stand a little above the
top of the knotter box and the lower one somewhat below its bottom. While the
binding arm is performing the aforesaid the of its revolution this lever has the
arm furthest from the point of the knotter thrown down y thus, so that its
point is below the level of the upper surface, of the knotter box The band there-
fore passes freely over it. At this juncture the lower arm comes in contact with a
fixed arm or stud z' (Fig: 4) by which the lower arm is thrown up and slides the
band into the slit. When it is desired to place the other end of the band in the
slit the arm now projecting above the top of the knotter box is caught by another
stud, which causes the other arm to slide the band into the slit.
The knotter is constructed as follows, that is to say Fig 6 represents the bearing
for the knotting mechanism shewing how it is attached to the binding arm at y
also the position of the looping apparatus y', and the pinions y², y³ by which the
said looper is made to revolve
i
The side or plate Fig: 6 is attached to the side of the bearing y by screws at
the places indicated, as shewn Fig 6. The places for these screws on the bearing
are about of an inch above the level of the straight side between them to allow
room for the combined guide finger and knife 18 (Fig 6b also separately) which is
attached either to the said bearing or to the inner side of the plate 6° as shewn by
the dotted lines on Fig: 6b outside this plate and enclosed by another plate 6d, as
shewn in Fig 6b is the gripper apparatus. This consists of a notched and groved
wheel 6 and a grooved cap 110 fitting on and spanning a portion of the notched
part of the said wheel. This cap is pressed home by a spring Besides its notches
or teeth this wheel as already stated is grooved, the groove being cut slightly deeper
than the notches, so that each notch is divided into two as shewn in figure 1.
Corresponding to this groove and working within it is a middle verge or flange on
the cap as shewn by 10. When therefore the band is is caught by the gripper it is
held between the two projections or edges of the gripper wheel and the three
verges or edges of the cap while the Binding arm revolves. Motion is given to
the gripper wheel at the proper moment by the small projecting arm a a (Fig 5)
also shewn separately, which catches against the lower notch of the said wheel as
it passes and propels it one notch. When the binding arm has performed half its
revolution from this point the band will lie in nearly a straight line across the
sheaf space and the upright shaft of the binding arm In this position it is caught
by the notch or projection 66 (Fig 5 also separately) so as to be held in a line
paralled to the slit in the top of the knotter box. This enables the beforenamed Y
lever to seize and adjust it more accurately, as before stated, so that by a downward
action of the guide lever cc (Fig 5 and separately) caused by its coming in contact
with the notch on the side of the knotter box, the band is pressed into the slit of
the knotter box, as the binding arm passes.
:
No sooner are the two ends of the band securely placed in the slit, than the
pinion wheely (Fig 6) is brought into contact with the rack dd (Fig 5) and
caused to revolve in the direction indicated. This action by means of the groove
or cam on the upper side of the said pinion gives motion to the lever y³ (Figs 6
and 6) which first brings the guide finger y (Fig 1³) with which it is connected
by a coupling rod, across the slit and causes it to press down the two ends of the.
band below the level of the bottom jaw of the looping apparatus. Simultaneously
or nearly so, the gripper wheel moves one notch across the slit carrying the band
beneath the grooved cap 110 (Fig 6º)

page_text: The looping apparatus y' (Fig 6) now passes both its jaws over the band
revolving in a direction opposite to that of the pinion y³ The guide finger then.
returns to its former position liberating the band, which rises so as to slip over the'
back or bevelled part of the looper to the upper side of its top jaw, as it revolves
When the jaws of the said looper again approach the band they are opened by
the projection forming the continuation of the bottom jaw y rising on the cam y
so that the ends of the band lie between them. The cam or projection y³ (Fig 6)
now forces up the bottom jaw which closed upon and securely holds the band
across the loop formed around the jaws of the looper. In this position the onward
progress of the looper is arrested The pinion y³ which revolves the smaller pinion
on the spindle of the looper y is in one part denuded of three or more of its cogs
so far as they act on that pinion (see Fig 6 and 6). It is evident therefore that y¹
will remain stationary during this part of the revolution of y³ To hold y² firmly.
in this position a portion of one of its cogs. or its upper part, is cut away (Fig 6')
forming a level or concave surface, which the flange y fits against and passes over.
Meanwhile the lever y' (Fig 6º) by rising on the higher part of the cam or groove
there shewn, causes the sharp edge of the knife y¹º (Fig 6° and separately 18) to
pass over the slit and cut the band.
It now remains to discharge the loop by pushing it off the jaws of the looper
and over the cut ends of the band, while the looper is yet stationery. To effect
this a small plate or lever (Fig 6) is attached to the side of the looper by a screw
or pivot at y and fitted with a small stud or projection y which passes under-
neath the edge of the upper jaw of the looper The knife 18 also carries a stud y¹³
which as the knife moves to cut the band, presses against the stud of the lever y¹
and slips the loop off in the manner desired. The knot is now formed But to
give time for it to be drawn tight the jaws retain their hold of the cut ends till the
looper has nearly completed the remainder of its onward movement when the
pressure is removed, the jaws open and the bound sheaf is discharged
It will be observed that in order to form a complete knot the looper performs
two revolutions
On the lower or bottom side of the pinion y³ is a cam y¹ on which works the
lever y which is pivotted under These serve the purpose of arresting and
locking the pinion as soon as its revolution is completed By this means it is held
in its proper position to commence its revolution again.
The next operation is discharging the bound sheaf. While the knot is being
tied, the Binding arm and the arm or lever L³ (Fig 5) are moving the sheaf towards
the edge of the platform. Simultaneously the cam 25 (the one situate on the shaft
of the Binding arm immediately above the pinion and shewn in Figs 5 and 13)
liberates the lever S. S. (Fig 4) so that the onward motion of the sheaf presses
back the levers or bars O' (Fig 4 and 2) which are connected with S. S and the
sheaf falls to the ground through the opening which is again closed by the rising
part of the said cam.
The moveable platform, for raising short crops to a suitable height for binding
is a framework or table of wood or other material of the height required, fitting
into the sheaf space, to be placed there when required
Having thus fully described my said invention and shewn how the same may be
carried into practice I wish it to be understood that I claim :—
4
1. The application of the principle or method of manipulating and binding the cut
crop in a standing or erect position, as distinguished from a lying or horizontal
position, thereby being enabled to use a smaller and more compact machine, 5
and one which may be attached to existing Reapers with either a right hand
or left hand delivery substantially as herein before described and shewn on the
drawings
2. The threefold arrangement to be used separately or in combination for raising
leaning or laid crops and bringing the same into an erect position
3 The novel arrangement of mechanism for collecting the crop as it is cut into
bundles or sheaves and the means for carrying the band- or string- around the
6

page_text: same so as to form properly bound sheaves substantially as herein before described
and shewn on the drawings.
The novel arrangement of mechanism whereby the cut corn is retained
throughout the process in a standing or nearly erect position as shewn on the
drawings and substantially as herein before described.
The peculiar arrangement of the binding arm and knotter substantially as shown
and described
. The peculiar construction of the knotting apparatus with the various devices
and arrangements for working the same.
The combination of parts together forming my improved sheaf binding
mechanism for Harvesting machines for reaping and binding, constructed
substantially as shewn in the accompanying drawings, and operated as above
set forth
In witness whereof I the said John Wild have hereunto set my hand and seal
his thirtieth day of November in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
undred and eighty three.