IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING MACHINES
Year: 1859

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Augustus Munn, of Throwley House, near
Feversham, in the County of Kent, (late a Major in the East Kent
Militia,) a Deputy Lieutenant and Justice for the Peace for the
said County of Kent, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING
MACHINES."
Sealed the 23rd December 1859, and dated the 18th July 1859.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Augustus Munn
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
18th July 1859.
I, WILLIAM AUGUSTUS MUNN, of Throwley House, near Feversham, in the
County of Kent, (late a Major in the East Kent Militia,) a Deputy Lieu-
tenant and Justice of the Peace for the said County of Kent, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING
MACHINES," to be as follows :-
My improvements are applicable to the reaping machine described in the
Specification filed by William Burgess in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
Seventh day of January One thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight, in pur-
suance of Letters Patent granted to him dated the Seventh day of July One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven, numbered 1889, and figured in the
Drawings annexed to the said Specification, and to all other reaping machines
of similar construction. In the following description I have shewn their

page_text: application to the said reaping machine described in the Specification of the
said William Burgess, and figured in the said Drawings thereunto annexed,
but it will be obvious how they may be applied to any other reaping machine
of similar construction.
My improvements consist, firstly, in making the driving wheel and the
supporting wheel on the opposite side of the machine slightly conical, the base
of the cone being towards the side opposite to the driving wheel. The object
of this is to counteract to some extent the tendency of the machine to turn
towards the side opposite the driving wheel, the weight of the knives and
framework and the resistance of the corn which is being cut in the reaping
machines now in use, forcing the horses towards the uncut corn.
Secondly, in still further obviating the said tendency to turn towards the
side opposite to the driving wheel, and for the purpose of raking the ground
that has been reaped by affixing to the machine on the side next the driving
wheel a rake, projecting in an opposite direction to the frame carrying the
knives. This rake is attached to the machine by a hinge, and can be lowered
and brought into use at pleasure; when in use, by its weight and the
resistance met with in raking, it tends to balance the machine, so that the
horses are not forced out of the direction in which they should travel to the
extent that they are in the machines now in use.
Thirdly, in fixing in the framework and at the side next the driving wheel
a moveable stage working on two pins, which admit of its being depressed
towards the driving wheel side of the machine, and its opposite side raised,
and vice versa. On the edge of the stage opposite to the driving wheel side
of the machine there is an upright flange. The action of the moveable stage
is as follows: The outer side or side of the stage next the driving wheel is
raised, so that the top of the flange just sinks below the level of the screw
rollers on which the corn falls when cut. By the action of the screw rollers
the corn passes on to the stage. As soon as there is sufficient corn on the
stage to form a sheaf, the outside of it is depressed and the inner side raised.
The corn then on the stage slides off on to the ground, and is ready to be tied
up in a sheaf, the flange being raised by the depression of the outer side of the
stage, stops any more corn from coming on to the stage. When the stage has
delivered the corn for oue sheaf its outer edge is raised, and the inner edge
with the flange consequently lowered, and the corn is allowed to accumulate
again on the stage until there is sufficient to form another sheaf. The stage
can be worked by hand or connected with the driving gear, and made by it to
rise and sink at the proper intervals.

page_text: Fourthly, in attaching that part of the frame which carries the knives and
rollers to that part of the frame which is supported by the driving wheel, by a
horizontal bar passing through perpendicular slots at the back of the last
mentioned part of the frame, and working on a pin also fixed at the back of
the said last mentioned part of the frame, and in a line with the shaft which
carries the crank. By this arrangement the machine will reap over uneven
ground. If the ground rises or falls towards the side of the machine opposite
to the driving wheel, the part of the frame on that side of the machine and
which carries the knives and rollers, is raised or lowered without disturbing
the position of the other part of the frame.
Fifthly, in constructing the vanes which press the corn towards the knives
in the following manner :-Two or more wooden or iron bars for each vanc
are fixed on the axis, and to these are fixed other bars of wood or iron
perpendicular to the first-mentioned bars, and in the direction in which tho
vanes turn round. A vane is fixed to the ends of each set of the last-
mentioned bars. The last-mentioned bars are made to slide up and down the
first-mentioned bars for the purpose of adjusting the vanes to their proper
position. Claws or rakes may be fixed on the vanes to assist in bringing the
corn up to the knives. By this improvement the axis of the vanes may be
placed lower than it now is, and the vanes separate and bring the corn up to
the knives in a better manner.
Sixthly, in fixing to the machine on the side furthest from the driving
wheel a divider, to separate the corn which is immediately about to be cut
from the rest, of the following form. Eight or other convenient number of
arms are fixed to an axis which revolves horizontally. The arms revolve in a
plane parallel to the direction in which the machine travels, and turning in
the same direction as the vanes. At the ends of the arms claws are fixed,
projecting in the direction in which the arms revolve. These claws work on
pins and project out some distance on the opposite sides of the arins. Either
by weights or by the rods of eccentrics attached to the parts of the claws which
so project, the claws are made to close up as they approach the ground, and take
hold of the corn, and unclose when they rise again from the ground. The
divider is connected with the driving gear and so made to revolve. If this
divider is applied to the machine described in the said Specification of the said
William Burgess, and figured in the Drawings thereunto annexed, the divider
there shewn is removed, and the one just described is substituted in its
place.
Seventhly, in given the knives an edge like a fine saw, and in so forming

page_text: the fingers and making the indentations of the knives of such an angle as to
cncrease the facility of cutting and to prevent clogging.
Eighthly, in attaching to certain of the fingers pieces of iron projecting
forward and sloping downward, these are intended to pass underneath the corn
that has been laid, and to raise it up to the knives. These projecting pieces
have a certain play up and down, so that in the event of their meeting with
stones or any roughness in the ground they will be raised up. Their fore
ends are slightly curved upwards to facilitate this.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Augustus Munn in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 18th January 1860.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
AUGUSTUS MUNN, of Throwley House, near Feversham, in the County of
Kent, Esquire, (late a Major in the East Kent Militia,) a Deputy Lieutenant
and Justice of the Peace for the said County of Kent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine, in the twenty-third year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said William Augustus Munn, Her special licence that I, the said
William Augustus Munn, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such
others as I, the said William Augustus Munn, my 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 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 MACHINES," upon the con-
dition (amongst others) that I, the said William Augustus Munn, my
executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their,
or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be per-
formed, 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.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Augustus Munn, 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 with the aid of
the several Drawings annexed hereto, in and by the following statement
thereof :-
The first part of my said Invention consists in an improvement in the form
of the driving wheel used in any reaping machine, wherein the horse or other
propulsive or draught power is annexed to one side only of the frame to which
the knives for cutting the crop are attached, as in any reaping machine of the
same or similar construction to that delineated in the Specification numbered
1889, and filed by William Burgess in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
Seventh day of January, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred
and fifty-eight, in pursuance of Letters Patent to him, granted and dated the
Seventh day of July, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
fifty-seven, the object being to counteract to some extent the known tendency
of every reaping machine constructed in any manner aforesaid when in opera-
tion to turn towards its side which is opposite to the driving wheel, and to
force the horses or other draught power towards the uncut crop through the
weight of its knives and framework, and the resistance offered by the crop
whilst it is being cut by the knives.
The said Invention may be effected by making the external plane of the
circumference of such wheel slightly conical, the base of the cone being on
that side of the wheel which when the same is fitted on to the machine frame,
is turned towards that end of the frame which is opposite to the driving wheel.
or the said wheel may have a projecting rim on the circumference. In the
annexed Drawings, Figure A represents an end section of the said firstly
described wheel, and Figure B a similar section of the said secondly describe:1
wheel according to my said Invention. And in the Figure M, No. 1, shews
the application of the second kind of wheel above described to a reaping
machine similar to that delineated in the aforesaid Specification of Williant
Burgess; and it is obvious how either of the above described wheels may be
applied in a similar manner to any other reaping machine of like construction.
The second part of my said Invention consists in a rake affixed to the frame
any reaping machine constructed in any manner aforesaid, and on that side
of the frame which is nearest the driving wheel, and projecting therefrom in an
opposite direction to the frame to which the knives for cutting the crop are
attached, and so connected with the frame that it may be lowered or raised and
brought into or out of operation at pleasure. Its use is to rake the groun.i
of

page_text: that has been reaped, and also by its weight and the friction produced by the
act of raking, further to counteract the aforesaid tendency of a reaping
machine constructed in any manner aforesaid to turn towards the uncut crop.
In the annexed Drawings, Figure C represents an elevation of the rake
according to my said Invention, and Figure D its side or end view; No. 1
a travelling wheel attached to the end of the rake beam; Number 2, the mode
of attachment of the rake beam to the frame of the reaping machine;
Number 3, the frame of the rake which carries the prongs; Number 4, a rope,
one end of which is attached to the outer end of the rake frame, and the other
end to the frame of the reaping machine, by means of which rope the outer
end of the rake frame can be elevated and the rake thrown out of operation.
And in the Figure M, Number 2 shews the place where the rake frame is to
be attached to a reaping machine similar to that delineated in the said Speci-
fication of William Burgess. And it is obvious how such rake may be applied
to any other reaping machine of like construction.
The third part of my said Invention consists in a moveable stage affixed to
the platform of any reaping machine of similar construction to that delineated
in the aforesaid Specification of William Burgess, or of any other reaping
machine having a platform for the reception of the cut crop, furnished with
archimedean screws or other contrivance for conveying the cut crop towards
that side of the platform which is nearest the driving wheel; and which
moveable stage is affixed to that side of the platform which is nearest the
driving wheel. The form of platform which I find the most advantageous
consists in a frame of metal, to which a piece of canvass or other similar
material is loosely stretched, so as to hang in the form of a shallow bag.
In the annexed Drawings Figure M shews the application of the said stage
to a reaping machine similar to that delineated in the aforesaid Specification
of William Burgess, and it is obvious how such stage may be applied to any
other reaping machine of like construction, and having a platforin furnished
with some contrivance for conveying the cut crop towards the said stage. On
this Figure, Number 3 represents the metal frame; Number 4, the canvas
bag; Numbers 5 and 6 the pins on which the moveable stage turns; Number
7, a frame of wood or metal supporting the stage by its pins, and affixed to
the frame which carries the archimedean screw rollers. The pin Number 6
passes through the frame Number 7, and to its end is affixed the bevilled gear
wheel Number 8, which works in the bevilled gear wheel Number 9. This
wheel works loosely on an axis Number 10, by which motion is communicated
to the archime lean screw rollers, and attached to the wheel is a ratchet wheel,

page_text: Number 11, with a click Number 12, which prevents the wheel Number 9,
from revolving in a direction from the moveable stage. A double clutch,
Number 13, slides on a square on the axis Number 10, and by means of the
rod Number 14, can be brought into gear with the wheel Number 9, as shown
in the Drawing, and at the same time thrown out of gear with the clutch
wheel on the axis Number 15. The motion for this purpose is communicated
to the rod Number 14 in the following manner:-A conical wheel Number 16
is fixed on the axis of the driving wheel, and by a wheel band, Number 17,
puts in motion the conical wheel Number 18, which has a projection or cam
Number 19. Each time that the wheel Number 18 revolves, the cam
Number 19 presses upon the end of the lever Number 20, which, by means
of the rod Number 21 and the crank Number 22, pulls the clutch Number 13.
and ungears it from the clutch wheel on the axis Number 15, and throws it
into gear with the wheel Number 9. As soon as the cam has ceased to act,
the indian rubber or spiral spring Number 23 attached to the end of the crank
Number 22, restores the clutch to its original position in gear with the clutch
wheel on the axis Number 15, and out of gear with the wheel Number 9, as
is shewn in the Drawing, Figure M. The axis Number 15, by means of a
universal joint Number 24, communicates motion to the archimedean screw
roller Number 25, and this by means of the drum at its opposite end Number
26, and the wheel bands Numbers 4 and 5, Figure L, which is an elevation
of that side of the frame carrying the knives and rollers which is opposite to
the driving wheel, communicates motion to the other two rollers Numbers 27
and 28, Figure M. The wheel band Number 17, Figure M, passes through a
square in the end of the rod Number 30, and by means of the screw, Number
31, can be brought nearer to or removed further off the frame, so as to
increase or diminish at pleasure the velocity of the wheel Number 18.
The following is the object of the stage:-The cut crop is, by the action of
the archimedean screws or other contrivance in the platform, conveyed upon
the inclined plane Number 32, Figure M, and thence by gravitation is con-
ducted upon the aforesaid moveable stage. The velocity of the wheel Number
18, Figure M, is so regulated, that as soon as a sufficient quantity of the cut
crop to form a sheaf is, by the means aforesaid, collected on the said moveable
stage, the cam Number 19 acts upon the lever Number 20, and, as above
described, unclutches the clutch Number 13 from the clutch wheel on the axis
Number 15, and gears to the wheel Number 9. The said moveable stage is
by this means caused to revolve on its pins, which revolution continues until
the cam Number 19 has passed the lever Number 20, when the clutch

page_text: Number 18 ungears from the wheel Number 9, and gears to the clutch wheel
on the axis Number 15. This part of the machine is so arranged, that each
time the cam Number 19 acts, the aforesaid moveable stage describes half a
revolution on its axis, and the portion of cut crop lying thereon is thrown
upon the ground ready to be tied up in a sheaf, and the succeeding portion of
crop is received on the under side of the said moveable stage, and collected
there until by a succeeding operation of the cam, another half revolution of
the stage is performed, and such last-mentioned portion of crop is in its turn
thrown upon the ground ready to be tied in a sheaf. During the revolution
of the said moveable stage, the rotation of the screw rollers is stopped by
reason of the cluch wheel on the axis Number 15 being unclutched from the
clutch Number 13, and the cut crop is thus prevented from being carried
towards the inclined plane Number 32. The ratchet wheel and click,
Numbers 11 and 12, Figure M, prevent the revolution of the said moveable
stage in a contrary direction to that above described. Another way of
performing this part of my Invention is to cause the said moveable stage to
describe by the means aforesaid only a quarter of a revolution on its axis,
and then by means of a spring, or the weight of its inner edge, to return to
its original position. In this case the ratchet wheel and click, Numbers 11
and 12, are dispensed with, and a stop is placed on the frame Number 7,
Figure M, to prevent the inner side of the said moveable stage from being
depressed by the weight of the portion of crop collected upon the said
moveable stage. In this case a curved flange, shewn in section in Figure E,
No. 1, is fixed to the inner edge of the said moveable stage, and prevents the
escape of any further portion of the cut crop from off the inclined plane
Number 32, Figure M, until the said moveable stage is in manner aforesaid
returned to its original position.
In Figure E, Number 1 is the curved flange; Number 2, the moveable
stage; Number 3, one of the pins on which it revolves; Number 4, the
inclined plane; and Number 5, the canvas bag. The dotted lines shew the
position of the moveable stage and curved flange when it has, in manner
aforesaid, described a quarter of a revolution on its axis. The above statement
describes a way of putting the aforesaid moveable stage in motion, but it is
obvious that the required motion may be given to it in a variety of other
ways.
The fourth part of my said Invention consists in an improved mode of
forming the framework of a reaping machine constructed in any manner
aforesaid, so as to enable the whole of the frame containing the cutting knives,

page_text: and the frame carrying the screw rollers, to be raised or depressed without
altering the position of the other part of the frame to which the driving wheel
and motive power are attached, by which means the reaping machine may,
be made to reap in a better manner than heretofore over uneven ground. My
said Invention consists in attaching the frame which carries the knives, and
the frame which carries the archimedean screw rollers, to the frame to which
the driving wheel and motive power are attached each by a horizontal bar
passing through perpendicular slots at the back part of the last-mentioned
frame, and working on pins also fixed at the back part of the said frame. In
the annexed Drawing, Figure F represents an end elevation of the back part
of the driving wheel frame. Number 1 is a portion of the driving wheel
frame; Number 2, a portion of the bar to which the frame carrying the screw
rollers is attached; Number 3, a portion of the bar to which the frame carrying
the cutting knives is attached; Number 4, the pin on which the bar Number
2 works; and Number 5, the pin on which the bar Number 3 works;
Number 6 is a slot in which the bar Number 2 works, and Number 7 a slot
in which the bar Number 3 works. Figure M, Number 38, shews the position
of the bar to which the frame carrying the screw rollers is attached, and
Number 34, Figure M, shews the position of the bar to which the frame
carrying the cutting knives is attached. A spiral spring or piece of indian-
rubber can be placed in each of the slots, Numbers 6 and 7, Figure F, both
above and below the bars aforesaid. It is obvious that the said fourth part of
my said Invention may be applied to any reaping machine constructed in any
manner aforesaid.
The fifth part of my said Invention consists in an improved mode of form-
ing the reel or gatherer used in reaping machines to press the standing crop
intended to be cut towards the cutting knives. In the annexed Drawings,
Figure G represents the elevation of one end of a reel or gatherer according to
my said Invention. Number 1 is the reel shaft which is made to revolve in
the usual way towards the cutting knives. In Figure M, Number 35 is the
wheel which communicates motion to the gatherer by means of a band, which
passes round a drum on the reel shaft; the band and drum are not shewn in
the Drawing. The reel shaft has a square block at each end, one only of
which is shown in Figure G, Number 2. Numbers 8, 3, 3, 3, are respectively
wooden arms, four of which are attached to each square block. Numbers
4, 4, 4, 4, are wooden arins, each working on a pin at the end of each of the
arms Numbers 3, 3, 3, 3.. Numbers 5, 5, 5, 5, are wooden arms each
attached at one end to one of the arms Numbers 4, 4, 4, 4, by a pin on which

page_text: it works, and furnished at the other end with a hook or pin, which can be
secured at pleasure in any one of a series of holes formed in the back of each
of the arms Numbers 3, 3, 3, 3. Numbers 6, 6, 6, 6, are the vanes, cach
attached to one of the arms Numbers 4, 4, 4, 4, by a hinge or other suitable
contrivance, to allow of a certain degree of play. The hinge is placed nearer
to the inner than the outer edge of the vane, which causes the vane by its own
weight to be in the properest position when it meets the standing crop.
Figure G shews the different positions the vanes take as the gatherer revolves.
The distance of the vanes from the axis of the reel shaft can be varied at
pleasure by shifting the pins at the ends of the arms Numbers 5, 5, 5, 5, into
different holes. A reel or gatherer constructed according to my Invention can
have its axis placed nearer the ground than an ordinary reel, and the angle at
which the vanes meet the standing crop and the play allowed them by the
method of the attachment to the arms Numbers 4, 4, 4, 4, cause them to
bring it up in a better manner to the cutting knives. It is obvious that such
a reel or gatherer can be applied to any reaping machine in which a reel or
gatherer is required to be used.
The sixth part of my said Invention consists in forming the edges of the
cutting knives of a trefoil shape, as shewn in Figure H, and making two re-
entering curves on either edge of that part of the fingers through which the
knives pass, as shewn in the same Figure; the effect of this is, that a greater
quantity of corn is seized between the knives and the fingers, and the cutting
of the crop is more effective. Number 1, Figure H, is the knife, Number 2
is the finger, each drawn to a larger scale than the other Figures. I find it
advantageous to have the edges of the under sides of the knives fluted, as
shewn in Number 3, Figure H; and I sometimes find it convenient to incline
the points of the knives a little downwards. In Figure M, Number 36
represents the knives and fingers; Number 37 is the end of the bar on which
the knives are fixed; Number 38, the rod by which motion is communicated
to the same bar by means of a crank working on the axis of the bevilled gear
wheel Number 39, which is put in motion by the bevilled gear wheel
Number 40, placed on the axis Number 41. The axis Number 41 is made
to revolve by means of the bevilled gear wheel Number 42, in gear with
the bevilled gear wheel Number 43, placed on the axis Number 44 of the
driving wheel. I prefer that the crank which works the rod Number 38
should work horizontally, as shewn in the Drawing.
The seventh part of my Invention consists in forming, in the following
manner, the archimedean screws which convey the cut crop to the side of

page_text: the reaping machine. The section of the roller is an octagon or other con-
venient regular straight-sided figure, and the diameter of the roller at its end
furthest from the moveable stage aforesaid is rather greater than its diameter
at the other end. From the angles at the sides of the roller, plates of zinc
or other metal project, having a waved indentation along the outer edge.
The indentation on each plate is so arranged with reference to those on the
others, that if a cord were wound round the roller and lay in the hollows of
the indentations it would form a helix. Figure I is a section of a roller at
its smaller end. Numbers 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, are the plates of zine or other
metal projecting from the angles Numbers 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2. Figure K is
a longitudinal representation of a roller; Numbers 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1,
Figure K, are the plates having the wavy indentations before mentioned,
arranged as above described. The rollers are made to revolve with different
velocities, that nearest the knives revolving the slowest, the next fuster, the
next still faster, and so on. I find a convenient mode of effecting this is as
shewn in Figure L, which is an elevation of that side of the frame carrying
the rollers, which is furthest from the moveable stage aforesaid. Numbers 1
2, and 3 are the drums at the ends of the rollers; Numbers 4 and 5, the
wheel bands. The drum Number 1 is larger in diameter than the drum
Number 2, and the drum Number 2 is larger in diameter than the drum
Number 8. Rollers constructed and worked as above described convey the
cut crop more perfectly to the side of the machine when it is to be delivered,
and the rollers are of casier and cheaper construction than those hitherto used
for this purpose.
I claim as my Iuvention, as to the first part thereof, the use of a driving
wheel formed as above described.
As to the second part thereof, the use of a rake attached to that side of a
reaping machine, to which it is herein-before stated to be attached, for the
purpose of raking the ground already reaped, and of counteracting the
tendency of a reaping machine, constructed as aforesaid, to turn towards
tho-standing crop.
As to the third part thereof, the use of a moveable stage, worked either by
machinery or by hand, on which a sufficient quantity of the cut crop to form
a sheaf is collected, and by the action of the stage is deposited on the ground
ready to be tied up into a sheaf.
As to the fourth part thereof, I claim the method of connecting the frame-
carrying the rollers, and the frame carrying the knives respectively to the
frame supported by the driving wheel by means of bars working on pins aud
in slots, as above described.

page_text: As to the fifth part thereof, I claim the use of the reel or gatherer of the
form above described.
As to the sixth part thereof, I claim the use of knives of a trefoil shape,
and of fingers having two re-entering curves on each side, as above
described; and I also claim the use of knives having their edges fluted as
above described.
As to the seventh part thereof, I claim the use of rollers of the form above
described; and I also claim the use of rollers rotating with different
velocities.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Augustus Munn, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Twelfth day of January, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty.
W. AUGUSTUS MUNN. (L.8.)