Improvements in Knotting Mechanism for Sheaf-binding Harvesters.
Year: 1897

page_text: Improvements in Knotting Mechanism for 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 improvements in the manner of holding, tying and
severing the cord in sheaf binding harvesters. In some respects the mechanism
employed is similar in its general arrangement to that previously used for the
purpose.
The knotter frame is carried by the knotter shaft and secured to the lower end
of the breast plate in the usual manner; the upper end of the breast plate, instead
of being carried by bolts passing through the spring rail or tube, is bolted to the
ears of a split socket or sleeve, which clips and tightens on the spring rail or tube
in any desired position.
The knotter frame is formed with a bearing to receive the spindle of the tying
bill, which, as usual is formed with a fixed and a moveable jaw, the latter being
controlled by means of a spring cam. At the upper end of this tyer spindle is
secured a bevel pinion which gears into and is driven intermittently by a
segment rack and delay surfaces formed on the face of the tyer cam wheel.
The spindle of the tying bill, instead of being central with the fixed jaw, as is
usual, is placed so far forward that the receiving side of the bill is in a line, or
nearly so, with the centre of the spindle. When the tying bill is at rest, or in
the position for receiving the cord, the bill extends forward obliquely across the
slot in the breast plate, and in order to make absolutely certain that the cords
are properly placed on the tying bill, the breast plate is provided with an
inclined guide piece, projecting partially across the slot, slightly in advance of
the receiving side of the tying bill and above the level of the top of the same;
this incline being so formed that the cords will slide off it and be placed on the
bill in the most favourable position for tying. Formed in one with this inclined
guide piece is a lip projecting under the tying bill, and backwards across the
discharge opening in the breast plate so as to prevent the cords from slipping
prematurely off the tying bill.
From its forward, oblique position of rest the tying bill makes one complete
revolution for each sheaf discharged; but in order that the ordinary discharge
arms may be able to draw the finished knot off the nose of the tying bill without
the aid of a swing arm or stripper, the tying bill has an interval of rest with its
jaws extending backwards while the cord is being cut and the knot is being
pulled off the remainder of the revolution being completed after the sheaf is
discharged. In order to effect this object tyer cam wheel is provided with only
sufficient teeth to cause the pinion which is on the tying bill spindle to make
this partial revolution. The pinion is also deprived of a tooth, so that the last
tooth which has been in gear and the tooth beyond the missing tooth, may ride

page_text: on a delay surface on the face of the tyer cam wheel until such time as the
sheaf has been discharged, at which point a delay shoe at the inner end of the
pinion comes in contact with the ordinary delay surface on the tyer cam wheel,
and the tying bill is moved forward to the position ready to receive the cord.
The cord holder disc, is secured to the lower end of a spindle having its
bearing in the knotter frame at the rear of the tying bill, and having a toothed
pinion at its upper end provided with delay surfaces and actuated and locked
by teeth and a delay surface on the tyer cam wheel in the ordinary manner.
This cord holder disc is provided by preference with three notches which in turn
receive the cord and carry it into a retaining shoe placed between the disc and
the tying bill.
The notches in the disc are of a width equal to about one sixth of its
circumference and tapering from the usual depth at the back to about one half
the depth at the forward end, so that the cord cannot by any means leave the
retaining shoe until the forward end of the notch is clear of the same.
The knife for severing the cord is secured to a crank-arm carried by a pin
which is centred in a bearing formed or cast to the tube or bearing which carries
the cord holder spindle. This crank arm is formed with a recess to receive
a spiral spring which has its abutment in a corresponding recess or nipple
formed on the upper side of the breast plate, the object of the spring being to
force the knife down clear of the cord; a cam on the back of the tyer cam wheel
actuating the crank arm so as to force the knife upwards immediately on the
jaw of the tying bill closing on the cord.
In order to prevent the cord from rising upwards away from the knife, the
upper side of the before mentioned retainer shoe is provided with a lip, under
which the cord is carried by the movement of the cord holder disc; this lip
being so adjacent to the knife that the cord is held down effectually while being
cut.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Knotting Mechanism for 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:-
My invention relates to improvements in the knotting mechanism of sheaf
binding harvesters, and consists, firstly, in the attachment of such knotting
apparatus to the spring rail or tube, secondly, to the simplification of the
knotting mechanism and thereby effecting a reduction in the number of parts,
and thirdly to various means for ensuring greater accuracy and smoothness of
working in the various operations of tying the knot, severing the twine, and
discharging the bound sheaf.
I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated on the accompanying
drawings in which:-
Figs. 1, 2, and 3 on Sheet 1 of the drawings are perspective views shewing my
said apparatus in three positions, in which its attachment to the spring rail is
also shewn, Fig. 4 (Sheet 2) is a front elevation showing the knotter bills in the

page_text: position for receiving the twine, and Fig. 5 is a front elevation thereof with the
breast plate removed. Fig. 6 (Sheet 3) is a sectional plan showing the position
of the knotter bills to receive the twine and the angle or inclination of the
knotter axis, also shewn in the part plan Fig. 7, in which figure the knotter bills
are shown in the temporary position they occupy on the discharge of the bound
sheaf. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the breast plate, Fig 9 (Sheet 4) is an
elevation of the knotter with its axis, pinion, and inner delay surface in relation
to the disc wheel, in the position it assumes at each period of rest. Fig. 10 is
an underneath plan of the knotter bills in relation to the stop of the cam surface
on the knotter frame shown in elevation at Fig. 11. Fig. 12 is a diagram view
shewing the three movements and positions assumed by the knotter bills, pinion,
and delay surfaces relative to the disc or cam wheel. Fig. 13 (Sheet 5) is a
plan and Fig. 14 is a front view of the spring cam operating on the heel of the
movable knotter bill showing the formation of the latter and its position in
relative to the spring cam, on the discharge of the bound sheaf. Fig. 15 is a
side elevation and Fig. 16 a front view of the twine guide bracket, attached to
the breast plate shown in plan at Fig. 17 and in the perspective view at Fig. S.
Fig. 18 (Sheet 6) is an elevation, Fig. 19 a plan and Fig. 20 a detail of the twine
retaining mechanism. Fig. 21 is a detail of a modification showing an under
surface for holding down the twine whilst it is being severed by an upward
rising knife, shewn in perspective at Fig. 22. Figs. 23 and 24 (Sheet 3) are plans
of two alternative modifications of devices for exerting the necessary spring
pressure on the retainer.
Similar letters refer to like parts throughout the several views.
a
In Figs. 1, 2 and 3 the knotter frame A is shown suspended from the knotter
shaft and is bolted at that end to the breast plate B the other end of said breast
plate being connected to the spring rail or tube b by bolts passing through the
ears of the split socket or sleeve 6' which clips on, and is thereby tightened, on the
said spring rail or tube b, in any desired position. This arrangement of fastening
not only dispenses with bolts passing through, and consequently weakening the
spring rail or tube, but it makes a very firm and effective fastening which at the
same time admits of the ready removal of the breast plate B without disturbing
the grain springs. It is in these figures that the various positions of the
knotting bills, retainer, twine severing mechanism and ejectors G are more
clearly shown. Fig. 1 represents the tying bills c c¹ in their normal forward
position of rest with the one end of the twine laid across the bills.
When sufficient grain has accumulated to operate the binding mechanism, the
needle Frises to the position shown in Fig. 2, placing the other end of the twine
around the bundle, over the knotter bills cc', and into the retainer where it is
firmly grasped and held during the return movement of the needle, and the com-
pletion of the tying operation.
The tying bills during their partial rotation, having formed the loop, now
occupy the temporary position shown at Fig. 2, from which position, and imme-
diately on the closing of the bills on the twine, they effect a slightly backward
movement, during the severing and discharging operation shown at Fig. 3 in a
manner and for the purpose hereafter more fully described.
On the discharge of the sheaf and the completion of the rotation of the cam
or disc wheel, the tyer bills c, c¹, again assume their normal position of rest, as-
shown at Fig. 1 ready for the succeeding sheaf.
•
It will be at once noticed that the disc or cam wheel D in relation to the
knotting mechanism is of small diameter, attributable in some measure to the
forming of the delay surface ee of the knotter pinion C on the inner end of the
said pinion (see Figs. 4, 5, 9, and 12) but at the one extremity of the knotter
spindle c, and that it is on the one and the same plane or turned surface of
the said disc or cam wheel D both the delay surface on the knotter pinion C and
the delay surfaces h³ (Figs. 18 and 19) of the retainer pinion h² operate and are

page_text: controlled during a certain period in the intermittent rotations of the disc or
cam wheel D. I have made use of the term "cam wheel" inasmuch as they
have generally been known as such, having to operate a cam acting on a rocking
knife, arm, or stripper for cutting the twine and stripping the knot from the
knotting bills as the sheaf is being ejected, and in some cases for operating a
tucker arm, or other similar device, and it has been in making provision for
effecting these movements that their diameter has been comparatively great, and
that the entire absence of such requirements, movements or devices in my
improvements enables me to arrange the mechanism in the most compact and
accessible manner with entire freedom from complications.
On the face of the said disc wheel D, Figs. 4 and 5, slightly above its level, or
general delay surface, and at a point beyond the circumference of the said
surface, is a segmental rack d, and a further controlling and delay surface d¹ d²
(see also diagram Fig. 12) with corresponding recesses in the main delay
face of the disc wheel D for effecting and controlling the movements of the
knotter bills cc¹ hereafter described in detail.
The spindle of the retainer disc h passes upwards through a sleeve formed in
the knotter frame A (see Figs. 4 5, 21 and 22) and is provided with a pinion h²
(Figs. 18 and 19) which has say six teeth, and in the retainer disc there are
three notches, so that the teeth in the disc wheel D (see Figs. 1, 2 and 4) which
gear with the pinion h² during the rotation of the disc wheel D gives one third
of a revolution to the retainer disc h. The delay flanges h³ on the pinion h2
(Fig. 19) during this movement enter a recess in the main delay surface d³ of the
said disc wheel D.
The necessary pressure on the retainer E and to the twine fed therein by the
retainer disc is given by a spring (Figs. 4 and 5) whilst the pressure on the
heel of the movable knotter bill is exerted by a spring f¹ (see Fig. 13).
of
The operation of severing the twine is effected by the knife m fixed to the
rocking arm m¹ (Figs. 4 and 5) and kept in its normal position by a coil spring n.
A projecting tooth o, or angular protruding surface formed on the back of the
said disc wheel D (see Fig. 5) comes in contact with this rocking knife
arm m', raising the knife m, and to ensure a clean severing
the twine I have shown a lip or projection
on the retainer E
having an under surface to hold the twine down when this upward movement
of the knife takes place. A plan view of this twine severing knife and its
relation to the retainer E is shown on Fig. 6, as also the angle the knotting
bills cc assume in their normal or forward position for receiving the twine and
Fig. 7 is a part plan of the breast plate B and connections, omitting the twine
severing knife and retainer and showing more particularly the relative position
of the knotter bills cc¹ on the discharge of the bound sheaf.
It will be seen that I incline the axis c* of the tyer bills to an obtuse angle
in relation to the knotter shaft a so as to take the knotter bills more under the
centre line of travel of the needle and twine, and although the angle I have
shown is only comparatively slight, I do not confine myself to the degree of angle
I may adopt. It has heretofore been usual for the said spindle c* to be at right
angles to the knotter shaft a.
The tyer bills cc¹ instead of being central as usual are formed to the one side
of the centre of the knotter spindle c* and at such a position in relation thereto
that the receiving face or side of the movable bill c¹ is radial or in a line or
nearly so with the centre of the said spindle c* as indicated by the underside plan
at Fig. 10 and Fig. 12. The effect therefore of these relative positions i.e., the
rearward position of the knotter bills and the inclination of the knotter axis is
to minimise the travel of the twine with a corresponding certainty that the
twine will be placed on the bills in the most favorable position whilst any escape
or slipping of the twine from off the bills on the commencement of the twisting
operation is rendered absolutely impossible.

page_text: The plan views Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, differ from each other in respect to the
position of the bills, the former showing the forward position which the
tyer bills take up to receive the twine and also the guide sur-
faces for deflecting and placing the twine well on to, and across, the knotter bills
in the most favourable position for being caught and carried round during the
twisting operation, and making the premature escape of one or both ends of the
twine over the nose of the bills a practical impossibility. In Fig. 7 however the
tyer bills are shown in their temporary yet pre-determined backward position
after the twisting operation for the completion of the knot and discharge of the
bound sheaf.
The other or upper end of the tying bill spindle c is provided with a pinion C
as shown in Fig. 9 and in plan at the diagram Figure 12.
This pinion C has a delay flange or shoe e formed at its inner end and it is
also mutilated in so far as it is deprived of one tooth as will be seen on refer-
ence to the Figure 12 showing, as it does, the relative positions during the said
controlling movements. In this figure which shows only a portion of the
general delay surface d of the disc wheel D it is only necessary to refer to the
controlling of the positions of the knotter bills c c in relation to the said disc
wheel D and for this purpose, in this view I show the three positions the bills
relatively occupy and have marked the same, No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3.
No. 1 shows the shoe e of the knotter pinion C in its normal position of rest on
the general delay surface of the disc wheel D, the direction of rotation of the
said disc wheel D being indicated by the arrow. Therefore the position occupied
by the bills ce are obliquely across the slot in the breast plate to receive the
twine from the needle, and before the latter has returned and during the
rotation of the said disc wheel D, the shoe e of the knotter pinion C has left the
general delay surface on the teeth of the knotter pinion C engaging with the
teeth of the segmental rack d at which time the one extremity of the delay
shoe e of the pinion C corresponds with a recess or opening 5 (Fig. 4). During
the greater part of the rotation of the knotter pinion C by the teeth d on the
disc wheel 1 no continuation of this opening d is necessary until the other end
of the shoe e necessarily assumes the position shown at No. 2 in the recess d
formed in the general delay surface of the said disc wheel D. The end or
mutilated tooth of the said segment rack d is shown as forming part of the
controlling surface and its height is rather less than the previous ones, being
approximately only slightly higher than their pitch line.
This diminution in height of the said tooth or projection
allows the latter
to pass the point of the last tooth of the knotter pinion that has been in gear
with the said segment rack and it is precluded from completing its revolution
at this time, the next tooth being directed to a position for control by the
surfaces and about mid-way between them. As the disc wheel D has not
quite completed its revolution the point of the tooth a¹ rides onto the raised delay
surface and in its travel causes the tooth to dip into the corresponding
concave controlling surface d', so that simultaneously with the edge of the tooth
riding on to the said raised delay surface the rear tooth a has emerged from
the said concave and for the remainder of the sheaf ejecting operation the
points of the teeth ride on the delay surface & and consequently show the
points of the bills in a more rearward position as shown at No. 3 than that
assumed at diagram No. 2 of Fig. 12.
21
This peculiar action renders the closing of the bills by the heel of the
movable bill e passing over the cam lock a certainty not only by the pressure
of the cam spring but that as its first position on passing over the higher point
to the lower cam surface is away from the lock " Fig. 10 there is no possibility
of failure in the closing of the bills as will be readily understood on reference to
the figures to be presently described.
This margin of space for the flat side of the heel of the bill c¹ to play in,

page_text: allows of the further backward motion of the bills when in the position No. 3
where the points of the teeth xx¹ are riding on the delay surface d². The knot
having been completed and the bound bundle discharged the shoe e in the
recess d is struck by the end e¹ of the recess in the disc wheel D, the dummy
tooth rides down the beveled end of the delay surface and the shoe e with
the pinion come again into position on the general delay surface d³ and the
knotter bills in their normal forward position again ready for the succeeding
operation. Both from the drawings and the description relating to these inter-
mittent motions of the knotter bills it will be found that such movements are
positive and pre-determined.
I however would have it distinctly understood that I do not confine myself
to the exact formation of the concave and raised delay surface d¹ and d
respectively as shown in the drawing at Fig. 12 which shows it fairly accurately,
although the point of the tooth need not necessarily be so pointed, neither do
I confine myself to its height as it will be obvious that I may dispense with a
concave controlling surface and bring the teeth ra on to a continuous delay
surface for this latter part of the operation.
On Fig. 10 I have shown an underneath plan of the tying bills cc at one side
(i.e. the back side) of the centre of the knotter spindle c³, showing the cam sur-
face a¹ and the lock on the knotter frame A.
At Fig. 11 I have shown an elevation of this cam surface a¹ on the knotter
frame, and at Fig. 13 the heel end of the movable jaw c¹ is shewn bulbed or
convexed on the one side which, first meets the spring cam block f in advance of
its opposite flat side and at the forward side of the direction of the rotation of
the knotter bills. This convex surface serves to effect a smoothness in its rota-
tion and necessarily corresponds with the surfaces of the cam block f shown in
detail at Figs. 13 and 14 on the former of which it is shown as having just
entered to a locked position on the closing of the bill c¹, but it is not by the
cam a¹ on the knotter frame A or the heel end 2 that it is locked, but by the
teeth of the pinion C marked and respectively on entering the concave con-
trolling and delay surfaces d¹ and d². The flat side of the heel c² in its position
in relation to the diagram No. 2 Fig. 12 is shown by the under plan Fig. 10, and
prevents the reversing of the binding mechanism.
The heel end 2 at its outer or convex side receives the necessary pressure from
the cam block f, attached at the one end of the plate f¹ connected at the other
end to the knotter frame A by an adjustable set screw operating on a flat coiled
or other suitable spring to determine the tension required on the heel c² of the
tying bill c¹.
Fig. 15 is a side elevation and Fig. 16 a front view of the twine guide bracket g,
and Fig. 17 is a plan showing the relative position of the knotter bills therewith
and from which the formation of the said twine guide and its purpose will be
more readily understood.
The bills cc¹ extend forward obliquely across the slot in the breast plate B and
in order to ensure the twine being placed properly thereon I attach or form on
this bracket g, guide surfaces of which one part g¹ projects transversely to the
path of the needle F, partly across the slot in the breast plate B, but slightly in
advance of the receiving side of the tying bills.
Formed in one with this guide piece is an extension 2 projecting under the
knotter bill c when in the position as shewn, and from this extended surface g²
is a further extension 3 passing backwards across the discharge opening in the
breast plate, so as to prevent the twine from prematurely slipping off the tying
bills, when in the positions No. 2 and No. 3 of Fig. 12.
The relative position of this bracket comprising the inclined guide surfaces,
and the knotter bills in relation thereto is more clearly shown at Fig. 17. From
this view it will be seen that the extreme points of the bills in their rotatory
movement, sweep within, and closely to, a vertical concave surface y', or its

page_text: equivalent, formed in or on the transverse guide surface g₁ of the said bracket y,
showing the position of the bills at rest and the twine thereon both in relation
to the said concave surface g¹.
It will be seen that the forward edge of the concave and guide bracket 91 of
the transverse guide surface, is nearer to the centre of the knotter spindle c* in
a direction transversely to the path of the needle, by which means the twine is
placed well on to the knotting bills. The moment that the said bills commence
their rotary movement the twine is carried under the projecting point q of the
breast plate B (or of the knotter frame as the case may be) and as the bills con-
tinue to rotate the twine is carried under the breast plate and is securely guided
thereby during the rotation of the knotting bills.
When the bills cc¹ arrive at the position shown in Fig. 13 or at position No. 2
of Fig. 12, and just about the instant the movable bill c is about to seize or close
upon the twine there is an occasional tendency for one or both of the strings to
be prematurely stripped from the knotter, and various devices have been devised
for obviating this; now in order to prevent this premature release of the twine I
carry an extension 93 (see Figs 15 and 16) across the discharge opening in the
breast plate, underneath the same, to a point as indicated with reference to.
Figs. 6, 7, 8. and 17.
In knotting mechanism where the bills may have been in a similar oblique or
forward position to receive the twine, the action of the "buttor" in packing
the stubble end of the sheaf has been known to push the twine from off the bills
and consequently to miss the knot, but according to my invention such an occur-
rence is quite impossible by reason of the normal position of the bills in the
concave in relation to the aforesaid twine guiding surfaces g¹ g², g³ of the
bracket g.
•
In Figs. 18 and 19 I have shown the twine retaining mechanism in which h
is the retainer disc, E the retainer, h¹ the retainer spindle, 2 the pinion and h³.
the delay faces thereon.
The pinion h2 is operated by teeth i, see Fig. 4, nearer to the centre of the disc
wheel D, and its intermittent motion is determined by the delay faces h³
operating in conjunction wth the general delay face on the said disc wheel 1).
The horizontal retainer disc is pinned to the lower end of the spindle h¹ and
has its bearing in the knotter frame A.
I have shown the retainer disc h as adapted for one third of a revolution for
each sheaf tied, but it will be obvious that the number may be more or less
although I have found three to give very satisfactory results.
The said disc h rotates in the retainer or gripper E, and for effecting a better
lead of the twine thereto it is provided with lengthened peripheral notches equal
to about one sixth of the circumference and shown at ht tapering from the usual
depth at that point to about one half the depth at h³, by which the twine cannot
leave the retainer until the forward end 5 is clear of the same.
The manner of effecting the necessary pressure on the retainer E is by a flat
spring Figs. 4 and 5, the latter view shows its cranked form for allowing the
needle to pass and where occasion may arise to secure the lead of the twine into
the notch in the retainer disc h, but I do not confine myself to a flat spring of
this form for exerting the necessary pressure on the retainer as this may be
effected by the method which I have shown at Fig. 23 (Sheet 3) where a coil
spring acts on one end of a horizontally mounted bell crank lever, whilst the
other end presses on the retainer E.
In Fig. 24 I have shown another modification in which the said retainer E is
connected direct by a bolt having spring pressure applied between the adjusting
nut on the end of the rod or bolt, and bearing against a lug formed on the breast
see the whole
plate. It therefore follows that the driver from his seat can
The many
operation without any part of the knotting mechanism being obscured.
advantages of this open knotter are obvious.
Having thus described the means proposed for effecting the necessary pressure

page_text: on the retainer I will now proceed to describe my improvements as relating to
the severing of the twine.
Figs. 4, 5, and 6 show the connection to the complete knotter (and in detail at
Figs. 18 and 20) of a lip or guard formed on the upper side of the retainer E.
On the completion of the knot the two ends of the twine are passing out of,
and over the retainer E and under the said guard or lip 7 formed on the retainer E
(or it may form a part p of the main knotter frame A as shown by the detail
view Fig. 21 and in a general perspective view at Fig. 22).
The direction of rotation of the retainer disc h serves to take the twine under
this lip or guard / or under the surface p. Fig. 5 shows the knife m attached to
a bracket m', pivotted at m² and the normal position of the knife is determined
by the spiral spring n bearing against a lug on the said bracket m¹ and at the
other end resting in a recess formed in the breast plate B or it may bear against
an extension of the bracket A. The method of operating the knife arm m¹ is
by the cam surface or angle tooth on the back of the disc wheel D (shewn at
Fig. 5) which in its rotation and at the proper time acts on the bracket m¹ and
causes the knife to rise sharply upwards. The lip 7, or the projection having the
under surface p, for the twine to be held down by, is therefore of the utmost
importance in conducing to a clean cut.
The method shown at Figs. 21 and 22 I find more advantageous inasmuch as
the waste ends of the twine are wiped off the retainer E at each successive
operation.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
1. In sheaf binding harvesters the attachment of the breast plate B to the
spring rail or tube 6 by means of a split socket or sleeve b¹, clamped thereon by
bolts passing through ears formed on the said split socket or sleeve substantially
as herein set forth with reference to Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the accompanying
drawings.
2. In the knotting mechanism of sheaf binding harvesters, the inclination of the
knotter spindle c* from a right angle in relation to the knotter shaft, and having
the tyer bills to the one side at the rear of the centre thereof, and the combina-
tion therewith of the forward normal position of the said knotter bills in relation
to the path of the needle as herein set forth.
3. In the knotting mechanism of sheaf binding harvesters the twine guide
bracket g attached to the breast plate, or forming part thereof, and provided with
twine guiding surfaces for directing and placing the twine in position on the
tyer bills when in their forward position, substantially as and for the purposes
herein set forth.
4. In the knotting mechanism of sheaf binding harvesters having twine
directing surfaces, the formation therein or attached thereto of a vertical concave
surface within which the points of the knotter bills are shielded whilst the twine
is being placed thereon substantially, as and for the purposes herein set forth.
5. In the knotting mechanism of sheaf binding harvesters having twine
guiding surfaces and a vertical concave or shield within which the points of the
knotter bills rotate, the arrangement of the forward normal position of the said
knotter bills obliquely across the path of the needle in the manner herein set
forth.
6. In the knotting mechanism of sheaf binding harvesters having a twine guide
bracket and guiding surfaces for directing and placing the twine in position on
the tyer bills when in the forward position for receiving the same, the com-
bination therewith of the backward extension g³ from the guiding surface g
forming part of the said bracket g substantially as and for the purpose herein
set forth.
7. In the knotting mechanism of sheaf binding harvesters in which the knotter

page_text: pinion has a delay flange or shoe e the combination therewith of a mutilated
pinion wherein the points of extreme teeth thereon ride on a delay or
controlling surface other than that for the aforesaid delay shoe e substantially
as and for the purpose herein set forth.
8. In the knotting mechanism of sheaf binding harvesters mechanism for
effecting a backward movement of the tyer bills, by and during the continuance
of the rotation of the disc wheel (thereby aiding the discharge of the bound
bundle) the said mechanism operating in conjunction with a cam guide, and the
mutilated pinion and delay surfaces aforesaid, so that the movements of the
latter are rendered positive as herein set forth.
9. In the knotting mechanism of sheaf binding harvesters the mutilated
knotter pinion (and its delay flange) in combination with the special delay
surface thereof and the cam or controlling concave surface arranged at a higher
level than the general delay surface and operating in the manner herein set
forth more particularly with reference to the diagram positions No. 1, No. 2, and
No. 3 in Fig. 12 of the accompanying drawings.
10. In the knotting mechanism of sheaf binding harvesters the employment
of a rocking or bell crank lever to which the knife is attached, in combination
with an under surface against which the twine can bear during the upward
severing movement by contact with the angular tooth o formed on or attached
to the back of the disc wheel and in its normal position held by a coiled spring
as herein set forth.
11. In the knotting mechanism of sheaf binding harvesters having an upward
cutting knife, the employment, either on the retainer or to a part of the knotter
frame of an under surface against which the twine can bear during the severing
operation substantially in the manuer and for the purpose herein set forth.
12. In the knotting mechanism of sheaf binding harvesters the combination
with a horizontal retainer disc of an upward severing knife operating
immediately at the back of the retainer in the manner and for the purpose herein
set forth.
13. In the knotting mechanism of sheaf binding harvesters the combination
with a horizontal retainer disc of an upwardly rising knife for severing the
twine, said knife being pivotted to a lug cast on the side of the tubular bearing
through which the retainer spindle passes and operated by a cam surface and
coiled spring substantially as herein set forth.
14. In the knotting mechanism of sheaf binding harvesters in which the
knotter bills are in a forward position to receive the twine, the combination with
a horizontal retainer disc of an upwardly rising knife for severing the twine,
said knife being pivotted to a lug cast on the side of the tubular bearing through
which the retainer spindle passes and operated by a cam surface on the back
of the disc wheel and by a coil spring from the breast plate in the manner
herein set forth.
15. In the knotting mechanism of sheaf binding harvesters the combination
of the tyer bills in a forward position to receive the twine with a horizontal
retainer disc, substantially as herein before set forth.
16. The general arrangement and combination of parts constituting my
improved open knotting apparatus for sheaf binding harvesters all substantially
as and for the purposes herein set forth.
GEO. DAVIES & SON,
Agents for the Applicant, 4, St. Ann's Square, Manchester.