IMPROVEMENTS IN GRAIN AND GRASS HARVESTING MACHINES, AND IN THE AUTOMATIC DELIVERY THEREOF OF CUT GRAIN
Year: 1858

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Stettinius Clark, of the Atlas Works, Upper
Park Place, Dorset Square, in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN GRAIN AND GRASS HARVESTING MACHINES, AND IN
THE AUTOMATIC DELIVERY THEREOF OF CUT GRAIN."-A communication.
Sealed the 10th September 1858, and dated the 5th April 1858.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Stettinius Clark
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
5th April 1858.
I, WILLIAM STETTINIUS CLARK, of the Atlas Works, Upper Park Place,
Dorset Square, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN GRAIN AND GRASS HARVESTING
MACHINES AND IN THE AUTOMATIC DELIVERY THEREOF OF THE CUT GRAIN," (a.com-
munication,) to be as follows:-
My Invention consists in a new arrangement or disposition of the principal
parts of the harvesting machine, whereby many of the defects incident to the
arrangement of the corresponding parts in previous machines are avoided and
new advantages secured. I have arranged the driving gear at one side of the
machine, and at the other the platform to receive and carry the grain until a
sufficient quantity for a govel has accumulated, leaving a space between the
driving gear and platform for the discharge of the govel. The draft pole to
which the horses are attached projects forward from the frame in front of the
driving gear. The stand for the forker who discharges the grain (when the
machine is used independant of the automatic rake) is on the rear edge of the

page_text: platform; the cutter on the front edge of the platform with a reel above it,
the driver's seat is so arranged he can more readily dislodge the straw from
the platform than in the present arrangement. The machine consists of a
strong frame carrying a platform supported by two wheels, one to support the
inner side of the machine or that next the standing grain, and the other at the
outer side, the latter being fitted with a cog wheel to drive the gearing which
imparts motion to the cutters and reel. The sickle derives its motion from a
crank with which it is connected by a link rod; the crank is turned by a
pinion driven by a bevel wheel on the inner end of a countershaft, whose
outer end is fitted with a pinion, which gears into an internal spur wheel on
the side of the main driving wheel. The shafts of this train of gearing are
supported in suitable bearings in an auxiliary frame, which being made
ridged and strong keeps all the different parts of the gearing in their proper
relative positions. The reel for bearing the grain against the sickle and
inclining it over the platform, so that when cut it will fall thereon, is supported
by two posts erected near the front of the outer end of the frame. The vanes
of this reel are supported by spokes extending from a central hub at the inner
extremity of the reel shaft, but the spokes may be passed through the shaft
in the usual manner if prefered. The sole difference between this reel and
those commonly employed being to extend its shaft beyond the outer end of
the vanes far enough to give room for two bearings at a sufficient distance
apart to hold the reel steady without the necessity of employing a post to
support its inner end. A triangular frame is erected over the driving wheel
upon the outer side of the main frame, to support the seat and footboard of
the driver. The footboard has a lever pivoted to it, by means of which a
clutch on the countershaft can be shifted to throw the same into and out of
gear with an internal spur wheel. The rear side of the platform and the
stand for the forker are supported by a strong rail extended from the outer
side of the main frame across the space for discharge of the grain, and at such
distance above the ground and the platform, that it will not hinder or obstruct
the discharge of the gaveh or disturb the same when discharged.
My Invention further relates to the raking apparatus which is self-acting,
but at all times under the controul of the operators, and also relates to the
general arrangement of the raking apparatus, and those parts acting in con-
nection with it upon two longitudinal pieces of the framework which may
extend to the extreme outside of the platform is supported a bed piece, on
which is secured a metalic block for containing the journal upon which the
main wheel turns, and on a bed piece underneath the axle or journal block
may be cast or otherwise secured another journal bearer, so that a series of

page_text: may
holes be had, into which the journal may be placed. The holes are
arranged in the arc of a circle whose centre is at the centre of the pinion, so
that the raising or lowering of the main wheel shall always keep its cogged
gear wheel in wash with the pinion, which turns in fixed bearings on the
bed piece.
A clutch is arranged to which a clutch lever is connected extending upward
into a convenient position for the operator, who by his foot from the seat may
throw out said clutch, and hold it out of operation until he desires the rake to
have motion, when, by removing his foot from the lever, a spring will imme-
diately throw the clutch into action. The clutch ring slides upon small guides
so as to give it certainty of action.
"
Beyond the clutch rings on the same shaft is a universal joint, uniting this
shaft to another shaft, which has upon it a square sleve supported by and moving
vertically between two guides, the object being to allow the shaft to have
uninterrupted motion on its sleve, whilst the sleve is free to carry said shaft.
On the shaft beyond the sleve is a second universal joint, to which a perpen-
dicular rack is attached, so as to allow the rack to turn with the sweep of the
rake. On the extreme end of a third shaft is a spur wheel, which takes into
an endless rack attached permanently to a curved plate, which is a fixture on
the frame of the machine, both the rack and the plate being curved in the
arc of a circle, whose centre is at the second universal joint, so that the
pinion or spur wheel may remain in gear with said rack, whilst it goes
through its necessary "change motion to give the rake its traverse and rising
and falling and turning movement; the several movements taking place at
proper times and places, so as to rake off and deliver the grain in gavels on
the ground in the rear of the machine, and laid upon the ground at right
angles to the path of the machine. The rake head is bent and a bow is affixed,
both the rake head and bow being higher at their inner ends, and dipping or
inclining towards the platform at their outer end; the rake and bow enter
between the falling straw and that lying upon the platform to keep separate
the two while the latter is being raked off. When the machine is used as a
reaper the tongue is held ridged between the standards by a bolt passing
through the rear end of the tongue and through the standards; when used as
a mower for grass the rake and platform are removed.
My Invention further consists in a peculiar construction and arrangement
of the finger bar, wherein I employ folded sheet metal with fingers inserted
through holes in the front and rounded folded portion of the bar, and griped
between and by the lips of the bar in the rear, and thus secured therein.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Stettinius Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 18th September 1858..
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
STETTINIUS CLARK, of the Atlas Works, Upper Park Place, Dorset Square,
in the County of Middlesex, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, hearing date the Fifth day of April, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight, in the twenty-first year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said William Stettinius Clark, Her special licence that I, the said
William Stettinius Clark, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or
such others as I, the said William Stettinius Clark, my executors, admi-
nistrators, 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 GRAIN AND GRASS HARVESTING
MACHINES, AND IN THE AUTOMATIC DELIVERY THEREOP OF CUT GRAIN," a com-
munication, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said William
Stettinius Clark, 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 performed, and cause the same to be
filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Stettinius Clark, do hereby
.declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement and accompanying Drawings, that is to say:-
Plate 1, Figure 1, represents a perspective view of the entire machine as
seen from that end of it which runs next the standing grain by an observer
stationed at the point of the divider.
Fig. 2 represents an enlarged perspective view of the machine, taken from
a point diagonally opposite to that represented in Fig. 1, and in this Figure the
main driving and supporting wheel is removed from its journal; and shown at
a little distance therefrom, so as to clearly show those parts which would
fall behind or be hid by it in the perspective.

page_text: Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6 represent detached portions of the machine.
The same
letters of the alphabet, where they occur in the separate Figures, represent
corresponding parts of the machine in all.
This portion of the Invention relates to the raking apparatus, which is self-
acting, but at all times under the control of the operator or director of the
machine, and also relates to the general arrangement of the raking apparatus
and those parts acting in connection with it.
To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my Invention,
I will proceed to describe the same with reference to the Drawings.
Upon the two longitudinal pieces A, B, which may extend to the extreme
outside of the platform, is supported a bed-piece or plate C, on which is secured
a metallic block or piece D for containing the journal E, upon which the main
supporting and driving wheel F turns, and on the bed-piece C underneath the
axle or journal block D may be cast or otherwise secured another journal
bearer G, so that a series of holes a, a, may be had, into which the journal E
may be placed as the machine may require to be raised or lowered. The
holes a, a, a, are arranged in the arc of a circle whose centre is at the centre
of the pinion H, so that the raising or lowering of the wheel F shall always
keep its cogged gear wheel I in mash with the pinion which turns in fixed
bearings on the bed-piece C.
On the shaft 6 of the pinion H is a bevel gear wheel J, which drives a small
bevel pinion c on one end of a shaft d, the opposite end of said shaft & having
upon it a crank e, to which and to the sickle bar is attached a pitinan K,.
for giving motion to the sickle bar and cutters thereon. The bar A, which
forms a part of the frame, may also be the finger bar to which the Figures
L are attached.
f is a clutch to which a clutch lever g is connected, extending upward into
convenient position for the operator, who by his foot from the seat M may
throw out said clutch and hold it out of operation until he desires the rake to.
have motion, when by removing his foot from the clutch lever, the spring h
underneath it will instantly throw the clutch into action. The clutch ring f
slides upon small guides on the shaft b, which causes it to move and couple
with great regularity and without sudden jar. Beyond the clutch rings on
the shaft 6 is a gimbal or universal joint i uniting the shaft 6 to another shaft
K, which has upon it a square sleeve supported by and moving vertically
between two guides m, m, the object being to allow the shaft k to have
uninterrupted motion on its sleeve, whilst the sleeve is free to carry said shaft
as it moves between the guides.

page_text: On the shaft K beyond the sleeve is a second universal gimbal joint o, to
which a perpendicular rack p is attached, so as to allow the rack to turn with
the sweep of the rake, the use of which will be described in connection with
the operation of the rake.
+
On the extreme end of the shaft K is a spur wheel 7, which takes into an
endless rack N, attached permanently to a curved plate O, which is a fixture
on the frame of the machine. Both the rack N and the plate O are curved
in the arc of a circle whose centre is at the universal joint b, so that the pinion
or spur wheel q may remain in gear with said rack N whilst it goes through its
necessary "change motion" to give the rake its traverse and rising and
falling and turning movement.
To prevent the spur 9 from binding in the rack N to keep it in gear
therewith, and to allow it to move freely traverse around the rack, flanges or
ways r, r, are formed on the top and bottom of the curved plate O, on which
ways a friction roller S arranged on the shaft K immediately behind the spur q,
runs to hold said spur at the proper mashing distance from the rack, said
friction roller S and its arrangement with regard to the spur and shaft being
more clearly shown in a detached broken figure underneath Fig. 2. The
flanges or ways r, r, on the plate O, encircle the rack N, being parallel to said
rack for guiding the friction roller, as also the spur on the round as well as the
straight parts of said rack.
To the lugs t, t, on the arm P (which arm also supports the clutch lever
g) is pivoted one end of a traversing plate Q, the other end of said plate
moving in a groove u between the top flange or way r, and another similar
flange v above it to keep it in proper position as it traverses horizontally back
and forth. To the under side of this plate Q are attached the guides m, m,
between which the sleeve 7 moves, and the traverse of the plate Q is obtained
by the spur running around the endless rack N, the shaft of said spur q
passing through the sleeve vas heretofore described.
Upon the plate are two small pillar blocks u, u, in which the shank x of
the rake R is supported and turns. An opening is made through plate Q
sufficiently large to admit the rack p to pass through, and also for a spur
wheely attached to said shank a to turn in, said rack p taking into and at
proper intervals turning the spur wheel y and the shank and rake to which it
is affixed. The rake thus receives its traverse movement over the platform
by the spur running around the stationary rack N, and its rising and
falling and turning movement through the moving rack p and spur wheel Y,
the several movements taking place at proper times and places so as to rake

page_text: off and deliver the grain in gavels on the ground in rear of the driving
machinery, the gavels as they are carried to the delivering point being turned
around a quarter of a circle, and laid upon the ground at right angles to the
path of the machine.
The rake head z is bent as shown in the Drawings, and a bow 1 is affixed
to said rake head, both the rake head and bow being highest at their
inner ends, and dipping or inclining towards the platform at their outer end.
The rake and bow enter between the falling straws, and that lying upon the
platform to keep separate the two while the latter is being raked off. The
arched form of the bow and its descent towards its outer end combined with the
centrifugal force due to its swinging motion, causes the bent and other straws
to slide off into the platform that would hang upon and clog it if it were
parallel to the rake head.
Furthermore, this bow is quite as effective for separating the falling grain
from that being raked off the platform, as a board is, while it is much lighter,
offering less obstruction in passing through the air, and does not, like a board
or diaphragm shield, act as a fan to blow about the straw.
The bed plate C for sustaining the gearing, I have heretofore described as
being provided with the means for adjusting the driving wheel. This adjust-
ment is necessary for regulating the height at which the cutters are to work,
and for properly balancing the machine. To said plate is also pivoted an
arm 2, which when dropped in behind the pinion H, slips the pinion out to
the end of the shaft t and a pin 3; this said shaft taking into a recess in the
pinion causes the pinion and shaft to turn together. When the arm 2 is
raised up or thrown back, the pinion H slips away from the pin 3, and then
said pinion can turn without turning the shaft b, and thus the working parts.
may be geared to or ungeard from the main driving wheel at pleasure.
.
When the machine is used as a reaper, the tongue S is held rigid between
two standards 4, 4, (Fig. 1,) by a bolt 5 passing through the rear end of the
tongue and through the standards. When used as a mower, the rake, plat-
form, and other superfluous parts being first removed or uncoupled, the bolt
5 is withdrawn so that the rear end of the tongue may play up and down
between said standards, it (the tongue) being secured to the machine by the
drag bars or straps 6, 6.
Besides this change, an additional supporting wheel v, (in separate Figure,)
is secured to the end A (which is also the finger bar), by the bolt 7 passing
through the bed piece c, finger bar A, and the hole 8, in the axle of said
supporting wheel v, and the supporting wheel axle may be above, below, or

page_text: between the finger and bed piece as may be preferred, its object being to sup-
port that end of the machine, and allow it to play up and down, and take away
the weight of the machine from the horses' necks,. and at the same time not
allow too much weight on the cutters.
The platform is furnished with outside and inside dividing boards V, W, to
divide and direct the falling straw on to said platform. It also has the cus-
tomary outside supporting wheel a, properly shielded by the outside divider to
prevent the straw or grass from winding round it or becoming entangled
therein. There is moreover a curved guiding board or fence y around the out-
side of the platform to keep the straw from being pushed off, or leaving the
platform until it arrives at the proper delivery point. On the inside divider
and director W is an adjustable shield z, to turn the straw away from the
driving gear, and on to the platform so as to be caught and raked off by the.
rake.
The reel posts and the driving of the reel need not be particularly described,
as the Drawing clearly enough indicate their construction and operation.
The rake, of course, unless thrown out and into gear, would move at all
times when the machine was in motion, and with a speed commensurate with
the speed of the machine. Such regulated motion would answer the purpose
if the grain always stood alike on the ground, but as there are always "thick
and thin" places in standing grain the gavels would be of variable sizes, if
the rake ran at the same uniform speed. To avoid the gathering of a gavel
until there is sufficient straw on the platform to make the gavel of proper.
size, the operater may, by placing his foot on the clutch lever g, hold the rake
from moving until sufficient straw has accumulated, and then by simply
removing his foot the rake goes into action and clears the platform.
In Fig. 6, I have shown the driving and supporting wheels in place as
arranged for mowing, and in order to facilitate the change of the driving
wheels the blocks or heels D may be cast on the bed plate C, and each fur-
nished with suitable holes for a journal E, or other guides may be so arranged
as to make the change readily, and when so made the machine is properly
balanced for moving.
My Invention further relates to an improvement in metallic finger bars for
harvesting machines; the nature of this portion of my Invention will be readily
understood by reference to the accompanying Drawings in Plate 2. Figure 1
represents a plan view, and Figure 2 a transverse section. A is a piece of
sheet boiler iron or other metal, with fingers B inserted through holes a, in
the front and rounded portion of the bar, these fingers being griped and

page_text: pinched between and by the lips of the bar in the rear, and secured by bolts c
passing through the said sheet metal, and thence through the fingers, thereby
securing the same in place.
Having thus fully described the nature of my Invention, what I claim
therein as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is, the arrangement
of the clutch and clutch lever, with regard to the conductors seat and platform,
and the shaft b, from which motion is communicated to both the rake and
sickle, as that the operator from his seat having a distinct view of the plat-
form can engage or disengage said rake with his foot, while the sickle con-
tinues to run, substantially in the manner and for the purpose set forth.
I also claim the combination of the universal joint i, for connecting the
shafts b, k, the sleeve e, and plate (2) with its guides m, m, and gimble joint o,
for giving the rake its transverse movement, substantially as described.
I also claim the bow and rake head so formed as to incline towards their
outer ends, and so acting as to cause the bent or entangled straws to slide off
to the platform, substantially in the manner described.
I also claim the peculiar manner of constructing the finger bar of reaping
and mowing machines as herein shown in the accompanying Drawings, Plate 2,
Figs. 1 and 2, and fully described in the foregoing Specification.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Stettinius Clark, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-first day of August, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight.
Witness,
JOHN SHAW,
Banbury.
WILLIAM STETTINIUS CLARK. (L.S.)