IMPROVEMENTS IN HARVESTING MACHINES."
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Bernhard Samuelson, of Banbury, in the County of
Oxford, Esquire, and William George Manwaring, of Banbury aforesaid,
Engineer, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN HARVESTING MACHINES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Bernhard Samuelson and
William George Manwaring at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on
the 3rd May 1881.
BERNHARD SAMUELSON, of Banbury, in the County of Oxford, Esquire, and
WILLIAM GEORGE MANWARING, of Banbury aforesaid, Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS
IN HARVESTING MACHINES."
Our improvements are modifications of those harvesting machines in which the
grain is cut and bound into sheaves in the same machine, and they consist,-
1. Of improvements in the construction of the platform on which the grain falls
after it is cut.
2. Of improvements in the apparatus by which the grain after it is cut is
delivered to the binding device.
3. Of improvements in the binding device.
4. Of a device for discharging the sheaf after it has been bound.
The first improvement is applicable to machines in which the grain after it is
cut falls upon a platform having teeth or other projections moving transversely to
the progress of the machine.
Its object is to make the machine portable when it is not at work, but being
moved from place to place.
We accomplish this by dividing the platform into two parts, of which one part,
namely, that nearest to the driving wheel, is fixed to the framework which contains
the driving mechanism, whilst the other part is hinged, and also by preference
clamped, to the first part.
When the machine is intended to travel, we remove the clamps and fold up the
moveable part at right angles, or nearly so, to the fixed part.
Then by mounting a wheel, which may be the ordinary so called off side wheel;

page_text: to the mixed part, the machine can travel conveniently, being neither too wide
to pass along narrow roads, nor so narrow as to endanger its stability whilst
travelling.
There is also this advantage as compared with the ordinary plan of folding the
whole platform, that the stability of the whole structure when at work is scarcely
interfered with.
The second part of our improvements is also applicable to such machines as we
have described in the first part, and in which, moreover, the grain is bound on the
same level, or nearly so, as that of the platform onto which it falls when cut, that
is to say, without elevating aprons. Its object is to make the delivery of the grain
to the binding device intermittent, and we effect this by having a short secondary.
slotted platforin, or its equivalent, covering a portion of the main platform nearest
to the binding device.
This secondary platform is slotted and moveable.
So long as it lies flat on the main platform the teeth or projections on this latter
will pass through the slots in the secondary platform and move the cut grain
towards the binding device, but when the secondary platform is lifted the pro-
jections in the main platform are masked, and the transverse flow of the grain
towards the binding device is arrested.
The movement which lifts the secondary platform is given whenever sufficient
grain has been delivered to the binding apparatus to form a sheaf, and it may
either be produced automatically by means of suitable mechanism from the
binding device or from the driving wheel, or direct by the attendant on the
machine.
The improvements in the binding device are applicable to string binders, and
consist,―
a. Of an arrangement for holding the string whilst the knot is being tied, and
for afterwards retaining the loose end of the string.
b. Of an arrangement for forming the loop and cutting the string.
For the first operation, viz., holding the string, we use two bell mouthed grooved
plates held face to face by a spring, and in connection there with a pronged presser
which thrusts the string between the plates; the grooves are at right angles to the
string.
The knife severs the string whilst it is held between the plates, and the plates
are made sufficiently long from front to back to prevent the end of the string which
is to form the next bow being forced out backwards from between the plates, whilst
on the other hand the bits remaining from the operations of tyeing before the last
one are gradually forced backwards, one by the other, under the operation of the
presser until they are no longer held between the plates.
.
For the second or knotting operation we employ a hollow knotter shaft or sleeve
carrying a hook.
Inside this shaft lies another shaft carrying a projection on its end nearest to the
hook, the two forming a jaw. We cause the inner shaft to slide in the outer one,
so that the projection may alternately approach and be removed from the hook.
By this means the string for forming the knot may be alternately held between
and disengaged from the jaw..
The two shafts revolve together. There are also two other hooks or projections,
by preference mounted on one plate, to which plate motion is given at right angles
to the knotter shaft. One of these projections lays the string into the jaw; the
knotter shaft then revolves and forins the knot, whereupon the other projection
disengages the loop from the jaw.
For cutting the string we cause the needle or its holder, which closes the circuit
of the string round the bundle, to push back in its descent an arm carrying a
horizontal cutter.
As the needle rises again the arm is released, and a spring forces the cutter
forward and causes it to cut the string.

page_text: The descent and ascent of the needle may also give the requisite montions to the
pronged presser, which thrusts the string between the plates of the nipper, and to
the plate with the two hooks which place the string on the knotter jaw and remove
it therefrom.
The device for discharging the sheaf after it has been bound is applicable to
binders in which the binding device is placed between the main platform and the
main driving wheel.
It consists of an auxiliary toothed or apron platform. The sheaf after it has
been bound falls onto this platform, to the apron or teeth of which motion is given
from front to back, which motion causes the sheaf to be impelled backwards and so
discharged onto the ground clear of the frame of the machine.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Bernhard Samuelson and William George Manwaring in the
Great Seal Patent Office on the 3rd November 1881.
BERNHARD SAMUELSON, of Banbury, in the County of Oxford, Esquire, and
WILLIAM GEORGE MANWARING, of Baubury aforesaid, Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS
IN HARVESTING MACHINES."
Our said Invention, relating to improvements in harvesting machines, has reference
to modifications of that class of apparatus in which the grain is cut and bound into
sheaves in the same machine, and they consist,-
Firstly. Of improvements in the construction and arrangement of the platform on
which the grain falls after it is cut.
Secondly. Of improvements in the apparatus by which the grain when cut is
delivered to the binding mechanism.
Thirdly. Of improvements in the binding apparatus, and
Fourthly. Of a device for discharging the sheaf after it has been bound.
The first part of our Invention is applicable to that type of machine in which
the crop after it is cut falls upon a platform having teeth or other projections
moving transversely to the progress of the machine.
Its object is to make the machine portable when it is not at work, but being
moved from place to place. We accomplish this by dividing the platform into two
parts, of which one part, namely, that nearest to the driving wheel, is fixed to the
framework, which contains the driving mechanism, whilst the other part is hinged
and also by preference clamped to this first part.
When the machine is intended to travel, we remove the clamps and fold up the
moveable part at right angles or nearly so to the fixed part. Then by mounting a
wheel, which may be the ordinary so called off side wheel, to the fixed part, the
machine can travel conveniently, being neither too wide to pass along narrow roads,
nor so narrow as to endanger its stability whilst travelling. There is also this
advantage as compared with the ordinary plan of folding the whole platform,
that the stability of the whole structure when at work is scarcely interfered
with.
The second part of our improvements is also applicable to such machines as
we have described in the first part, and in which moreover the grain is bound on
the same level or nearly so as that of the platform on to which it falls when cut,
that is to say, without elevating aprons.
Its object is to make the feeding or delivery of the cut crop to the binding
apparatus of intermittent action, so as to avoid the use of additional intermittent
packing devices. This we effect by having a short secondary slotted platform or
its equivalent forming a continuation of the main platform nearest to the binding
apparatus, and capable of being raised or lowered about a joint, as required. So
long as the said secondary platform lies flat in about the same level as the main
platform, the teeth or projections on this latter will pass through the slots provided
in both platforms, and move the cut crop towards the binding device, but when the
secondary platform is lifted, the projections, after passing through the slots in the
main platform, are masked, and the transverse flow of the crop towards the binding
device is thereby arrested. The movement which lifts the secondary platform is
given whenever sufficient of the cut crop has been delivered to the binding apparatus
to form a sheaf, and it may either be produced automatically by means of suitable
mechanism from the binding device or from the driving wheel, or direct by the
attendant on the machine.
According to the third part of our said Invention, which relates to improvements
in the string binding device or apparatus, we employ two bevelled inclined or bell
mouthed grooved plate, held face to face by a spring, for holding the string, similar to

page_text: those described in the Specification to Letters Patent granted to one of us, the said
William George Manwaring, dated Seventh December, One thousand eight hundred
and eighty, No. 5088, and in connection therewith we provide a pronged presser
which thrusts the string between the plates, the grooves being at right angles to
the string.
The knife is arranged to sever the string whilst it is held between these plates,
and they are made sufficiently long from front to back to prevent the end of the
string which is to form the next bow being forced out backwards from between the
plates, whilst on the other hand the bits remaining from the operations of tyeing
before the last one are gradually forced backwards one by the other under the
operation of the presser until they are no longer held between the plates.
The actual knotting apparatus we prefer to employ chiefly resembles that described
in the Specification to Letters Patent granted to Thomas Robert Hay Fiskin, dated
Thirteenth November, One thousand-eight hundred and seventy seven, Number 4242.
In combination with this device we provide two additional hooks or projections, by
preference mounted on a sliding plate, to which motion is given at right angles to
the knotter shaft, so as to cause one of these projections to lay the string across the
jaws of the knotter, after which the knotter shaft commences to revolve and forms
a complete turn of the string round it when the jaws of the knotter are caused to
open so as to embrace the strands, whereupon the other hook or projection upon
the sliding plate disengages the loop from the said jaws, thus completing the
knot.
The needle or its holder which closes the circuit of the string round the bundle
is so arranged as to push back in its descent an arm carrying a horizontal cutter,
for the purpose of subsequently severing the string.
This is effected by the needle as it rises again, which causes the release of the
and a spring forces it with the cutter forward, thus causing it to cut the
arm,
string..
The descent and ascent of the needle is also arranged to impart the requisite
motions to the pronged presser, which thrusts the string between the plates of the
nipper and to the plate with the two hooks or projections, which place the string on
the knotter jaw, and remove it therefrom.
The fourth part of our said Invention relates to the device for discharging the
sheaf after it has been bound, and is applicable to binders in which the binding
device is placed between the main platform and the main driving wheel.
It consists of an auxiliary apron or platform provided with teeth or projections
on to which the sheaf after it has been bound falls, motion being imparted to the
said platform in a suitable manner and direction, so as to cause the sheaf to be
impelled backwards, and so discharged on to the ground clear of the frame of the
machine.
And in order that our said Invention may be fully understood, we shall now
proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose shall refer to
the several Figures on the annexed Sheets of Drawings, the same letters of reference
indicating corresponding parts in all the Figures.
Figures 1 and 2 (Sheet 1) of the accompanying Drawings represent a back
elevation and plan respectively of a harvesting machine with our improvements
applied thereto.
Figure 3 illustrates a part end elevation (drawn to an enlarged scale) taken at
the back of the machine, shewing the intermittent cam device and gear for
operating the binding and ejecting mechanism, and the secondary platform
elevating gear.
Figure 4 is a similar enlarged view taken at the opposite or front side of the
machine, shewing the slotted device for actuating the needle or binder arm.
Figures 5 and 6 (Sheet 2) represent a side elevation and plan respectively of the
string nipping, knotting, and cutting apparatus arranged according to our present
Invention, and Figures 7 and 8 are details of such knotting apparatus for more
clearly shewing the arrangement and combination of the two auxiliary sliding

page_text: hooks or projections for laying the string over the jaws of the knotter and for
subsequently disengaging the loop therefrom.
A is the main travelling wheel which serves as the prime mover for driving the
various respective parts of the harvesting machine through the intervention of the
spur wheel A¹, pinion A², and mitre or bevil gearing A3, A4, and A³.
A, as will be seen, serves to transmit motion to the sickle, shaft for actuating
the vibrating knives which cut the crop on the front side of the machine, whilst A
drives the second, motion shaft carrying a chain or sprocket wheel B', which
transmits its motion to other similar wheels by means of endless chains or bands
for actuating the different parts of the machine at the required intervals.
B2 is a sprocket clutch wheel having another one B³ attached to its boss, and
which impart motion to other similar wheels B and B from the above described
source in the manner and for the purposes hereinafter more fully described.
C is a pinion mounted loose upon the short projecting spindle c, provided with a
spring, pawl, and clutch device hereinafter more fully explained, for intermittently
actuating the cam wheel C¹ fixed on one extremity of the shaft C², and through
which medium the binding mechanism is intermittently brought into operation at
the proper intervals.
On one side of the machine a platform G is provided for the reception of the
cut crop, and from which it is conducted to the machine to be packed and
bound.
According to the first part of our Invention, this platform is formed in two
separate parts y', y², of which one part, videlicet, that y₁ nearest to the driving
wheel, is fixed to the framework which contains the driving mechanism, whilst the
other part 2 is hinged to the part y' by a hinge bolt J extending from back to
front of the platform, and is also by preference clamped to the part y¹.
When the machine is intended to travel, we remove the clamps and fold up the
movable part at right angles or nearly so to the fixed part.
Then by mounting a wheel, which may be the ordinary so called off side wheel,
to the fixed part, the machine can travel conveniently, being neither too wide to
pass along narrow roads, nor so narrow as to endanger its stability whilst
travelling. There is also this advantage, as compared with the ordinary plan of
folding the whole platform, that the stability of the whole structure when at work
is scarcely interfered with.
According to the second part of our Invention, we combine with the platform G
a peculiar intermittent feeding device, so that the cut crop may only be delivered
into the binding portion of the machine, when sufficient has been accumulated to
form a uniforin sheaf, and when that part of the machine is unoccupied and
therefore ready for its reception. This. arrangement is applicable to that class of
machine in which the grain is bound on the same or nearly the same level as that
of the feeding platform on which the crop falls when cut (that is to say), without
requiring the use of elevating bands or aprons.
For this purpose, in lieu of employing one continuous platform, we provide in
addition to the main platform G a short secondary platform G2, which is jointed
at g to the main platform G, so as to be capable of being placed in angular relation
to the latter by suitable mechanism. The secondary platform G may also be
provided with a flap g2 hinged to it at g³, so as to complete the communication
between it and the binding table. This compound non travelling platform is
provided with slots Fe for allowing the teeth or projections F fixed at proper
intervals on the endless travelling chain or bands F1, F2, F3, and F4, beneath, to
work through them, so as to propel any of the crop lying on the platform G, G²,
when in their normal position. These endless travelling chains pass over pullies P, P²,
fixed to the spindles F and f, the former receiving its continuous motion by the
sprocket wheel B driven in the manner herein before described.
Beneath the short secondary platform G2 is mounted a spindle or shaft H, on
which is fixed a suitable number of arms H³ carrying rollers at their extremities
for acting upon an inclined plane g' upon the under side of the secondary platform,

page_text: and thereby lifting the same at definite periods. This may be effected in any
convenient manner, but in the Drawings we have represented this lifting motion
as being obtained from a lever H2, the one end of which is fixed to the spindle H,
whilst suitable motion is given to the opposite extremity by means of a roller ¹
mounted thereon engaging in the cam path provided in the face of the wheel C¹.
It will now be understood that by raising the secondary platform G² into an
inclined position (as shewn in the Drawings) with relation to the main platform G,
the teeth or projections F5 on the endless travelling chains may be masked at a
definite part of their traverse, so as to pass inoperative beneath a certain portion of
the platform, and so escape without propelling the crop.
Assuming the secondary platform to be in its normal or level position, and the
binding apparatus ready for the reception of the cut crop, the action would be as
follows:-
The crop is cut in the front of the machine and conducted upon the slotted
platform G, when the teeth of the travelling chains projecting through it seize the
cut crop and carry it forward on to the binding table I situate conveniently at the
opposite side of the machine, where it is thus packed by gradual accumulation
against the retaining lever K. This feeding operation is continued until sufficient
has been packed to form a predetermined uniform standard of sheaf, when the
pressure thus exerted upon the retaining lever causes it to overcome a spring
clutch device, and thereby cause the loose pinion C to take up the motion from its
continuously revolving spindle c, and thus impart one revolution to the cam
wheel C¹.
During this one revolution of the shaft c2 and cam wheel fixed thereon the whole
process of binding and ejecting the sheaf is accomplished, and at a certain early
part of such revolution the roller h¹ mounted on one end of the lever H2 is caused
to travel in the constricted curvature c¹ of the cam path, thereby turning the
shaft H so as to raise the arms H', and with them the secondary platform G2 clear
of the continuous travelling teeth upon the endless chains.
By this means the feeding communication between it and the binding apparatus
is temporarily arrested or cut off until the preceding sheaf is bound, and then
ejected, the latter operation being carried out by the kickers D and D' fixed to the ⚫
cam shaft C in the well known manner.
The arrangement of mechanism by which the sprocket wheel B2 is caused at the
proper time to impart its motion to the cam wheel C₁ by means of the spring clutch
device L' is fully described in the Specification to the said former Letters Patent
granted to the said William George Manwaring, dated the Seventh day of June, One
thousand eight hundred and eighty, No. 5088. The pinion C is loose on the short
spindle c, and has a boss, on which there is a spring, which tends to push the tail
of the pawl into contact with the friction rollers on the face of the sprocket
wheel, but is prevented from so doing as long as the other end of the pawl is
supported by the strut and rod L2 and L. By the retaining lever K being forced
back by the compression of the crop, the pendant lever or arm k is acted upon,
circular movement is imparted to the toothed quadrants 1, 12, fixed respectively on
the spindles L and L', so as to withdraw the strut, and wedge the tail end of the
spring pawl against one of the friction rollers b.
and
By this means the pinion C and the wheel B¹ are firmly connected together, and
must therefore simultaneously revolve until the tail of the said pawl is again
released from the roller by the rod L³ returning the strut under the action of the
revolving cam path c. It will be therefore understood that the pawl is returned
to its normal position after every revolution of the cam wheel C', which drives
the mechanism, and through which intervention its intermittent operation is
effected.
The cut crop having been packed, bound, and tied, and the string severed in the
manner hereinafter described, it becomes necessary to periodically raise the
retaining lever K, in order to eject the sheaves clear of the machine. This is
effected by means of the cam and lever motion K³, which acts at proper intervals

page_text: upon the tappet or radius bar K4 fixed on the spindle K², so as to partially rotate
the latter, and thus raise the rod or bar K¹ carrying at its other extremity the
said retaining lever K, to which it similarly imparts a vertical reciprocating
motion.
The needle or binding arm E¹ by which the cord or string is passed round the
sheaf to be bound, and thence conducted to the knotting apparatus, has likewise a
vertical reciprocating motion imparted to it by means of the crank d fixed at one
end of the spindle C2, and working in the curved slot or link E. This slotted link
is attached to the slide of the needle bar, which is fitted to work in vertical
guides e, whilst the crank pin d'is prolonged or attached to one of the kickers or
ejectors D¹, as shown in Figure 4 of the Drawings.
According to the third part of our said Invention, this movement of the binding
needle or arm is further utilized to push back by its descent a horizontal cutting
arm, and which is similarly released by its ascent or return, so as to sever the free
string from its knot on the bound sheaf. The descent and ascent of this needle is
also arranged to give certain requisite motions to the string nipping or retaining
device, as will presently be more fully described.
The actual knotting apparatus which we prefer to employ in connection with
our machine is chiefly constructed and arranged on the principle of that described
in the Specification to Letters Patent granted to Thomas Robert Hay Fisken, dated
the Thirteenth November, One thousand eight hundred and seventy seven, No. 4242.
And in combination with this type of knotting device we provide two auxiliary
projections fixed to a sliding plate having its motion at right angles to the knotter
shaft. One of such projections is formed as an inclined plane, and serves to lay
the string over the jaws of the knotter, whilst the other is in the form of a hook,
and disengages the loop from the said jaws after the knot has been tied.
In Figures 5 to 8 of the accompanying Drawings are represented various views
of this construction and combination of knotting apparatus arranged in accordance
with this part of our said Invention.
This apparatus is contained or enclosed in a box or casing x, and which is placed
in the position X at one end of the binding table I (Figure 2), beneath the
vertically reciprocating needle or binding arm E. Motion is transmitted to the
knotting portion of the apparatus by means of the train of spur gearing O
intermittently driven by the cam wheel C. The whole operation of nipping,
knotting, and cutting the string attached to a bound sheaf, is performed during the
one revolution of this cam wheel.
The periphery of the cam wheel is divided into two parts, the one having teeth.
all round for receiving motion from the pinion C, and the other having only the
same number of teeth formed on it as the first pinion O' of the train O communi-
cating motion to the knotter shaft T2, as represented in Figures 1, 2, and 3, of the
Drawings. By this arrangement it will be understood that the pinion O¹ is caused
to make one revolution during only a portion of the cam wheel's revolution, and
then the former becomes locked, while the latter completes its movement.
V is the main portion of the knotting apparatus with its gearing for actuation,
to be driven in the manner above described, and which is common to the con-
struction, arrangement; and operation of that described in the Specification of the
said former letters Patent granted to Thomas Robert Hay Fisken, hereinbefore
referred to.
P is a suitable oscillating framing terminating with the recessed needle plate E²
mounted in bearings P', and capable of vibrating in a vertical plane. Its normal
or raised position is in a slightly angular relation to the bed plate P2 and that of
the binding table, its depression being effected by the descent of the needle E¹,
and its return by the reaction or recoil of a suitable spring P³, fixed either below
or above it, so as to utilize the latter's elastic compression or extension as may be
found convenient.
Fixed to the upper part of the said oscillating framing are the elastic string
nipping plates p formed with an inclined or bevelled mouth p¹, and grooved or

page_text: slotted slides p³ for allowing the approach and recession of the pronged presser p
chiefly similar to the arrangement described in the Specification to Letters Patent
granted to the said William George Manwaring, dated the Seventh December, One
thousand eight hundred and eighty, No. 5088.
In lieu of the hook device for forcing the binding string or cord between the
elastic nipping plates, as described in the above Specification, we provide the
reciprocating pronged presser p. The said presser is conveniently formed on
the end of a slide p³ working on the guide blocks p6 formed on the oscillating
frame P, motion being imparted to the said slide with its pronged presser by the
descent of the needle E' against the recessed plate E, in the manner hereinafter
fully described. The jaws of the presser are serrated for facilitating the nip on
the string, while the severed ends of such binding material are successively
expelled at the rear of the said jaws by succeeding entrances of the string in
front.
The severance of the string or binding material is effected by means of the
cutter or knife q fixed to the moveable horizontal arm Q centred at q¹. This
cutting device is moved into its proper position for action by the descent of the
needle E acting on the needle plate E³, which causes a suitable projection p
carrying a friction roller formed on the back of the slide po to come in contact
with the arm carrying the knife q, and thus set it in its operative attidide.
When moved into this position it is temporarily held or retained there by the
spring catch q² carried by the oscillating frame P. x is a set screw working in
the fixed box, framing, or plate x, and which is arranged to engage with the tail
of the said spring catch q² at a definite or determined part of the angular stroke of
the oscillating frame P, so as to release the cutting arm Q upon the ascent of the
needle, and thus cause it to return and sever the string by the recoil or influence
of the spring g³.
The recessed needle plate E² fixed to the oscillating framing P is provided with
a stud or projection e², which takes into the slot t formed on the short arm of the
bell crank lever T arranged free to vibrate on the fulcrum T. This bell crank
lever is connected to the slide p³ by means of the rod Z attached at suitable inter-
mediate positions thereon at z, z. By such arrangement the intermittent alternate
angular motion of the frame P obtained by. the descending and ascending action of
the needle E¹ is caused to communicate an approximate horizontal reciprocating
motion to the slide p for actuating the pronged presser and the cutting arm before
referred to.
S is a sliding plate working in guides S1 and S2 fixed to the framing plate x²,
and capable of receiving horizontal reciprocating motion from the long arm f¹ of
the bell crank lever T. On this sliding plate are formed two hooks or projections,
the one S being conveniently formed as an inclined projection, and the other S*
as a hook, which respectively serve at the proper intervals to alternately guide
the string or binding material over the knotting device and disengage it there-
from.
Thus it will be understood that the descending action of the needle causes the
forward motion of the sliding plate by the intervention of the bell crank lever and
its connections, thereby guiding the string by means of the inclined projection
thereon into the proper position to be operated upon by the knotting device,
whilst the recession of the sliding plate caused by the resilient action of the
spring s brought into play by the ascent of the needle causes the hook s to catch
the loop of the string wound round the jaws R³, and so thrust it over the held
strands, and thus complete the knot. Now assuming the oscillating frame P and
needle E to be in their highest or raised positions, and sufficient of the cut crop to
have been fed and accumulated upon the binding table I to form a sheaf to be
bound, the needle then descends at the proper period by the intermittent action of
the cam
wheel C¹, herein before described, when the subsequent sequence
of operation is as follows:-The needle E' in the course of its descent comes in
contact with the needle plate E, and so depresses the rocking frame P as

page_text: on
to cause the slide 5 with its prong pressers p to recede and thrust the
string carried by the needle between the elastic nipping plates p. The con-
tinued depression of the frame P also causes, by means of friction rollers p
the slide p, the horizontal arms Q carrying the knife q to be moved
into the dotted position Y, shewn at Figure 6 of the Drawings, in readiness
for its subsequent cutting operation when released by the ascent of the
needle. As the frame P descends under the action of the needle sufficient string is
carried down with which to form the knot as the frame rises again, as hereinafter
explained. Simultaneously with the descent of the frame the long arm t¹ of the
bell crank lever T communicates a forward motion to the sliding plate S with the
hooks or projections S3, S4, formed thereon. This forward motion of the said plate
causes the string to be conducted into the path of the rotating knotting jaws R² by
means of the inclined projection S³. The knotting jaws then commence to rotate
and engage the string in such a manner as to form one convolution round the
knotter, the frame P gradually rising by the ascent of the needle and giving the
requisite slack, and by the further rotation of the said jaws they are opened so as
to nip the two strands between them. The needle then continues to rise, and with
it the return of the oscillating frame P is continued under the action of the
spring P³. When the said frame passes its horizontal position the cutting arm Qis
released by the set screw ¹ holding down the spring catch 92, and the string is
thereby severed, the plate S then returns to its normal position by the action of
the spring s, and in the course of its traverse the hook St acts upon the loop around
the knotter and passes it over the ends of the string which are engaged between the
jaws of the knotter; the sheaf is then released under the action of the kickers and
drops on to the delivery platform, next hereinafter described, by which it is
conveyed to the back of the machine.
According to the fourth and last part of our present Invention we provide an
auxiliary travelling platform or endless apron arranged at the side of the binding
table, for the purpose of receiving the bound sheaves and discharging them back-
wards clear of the frame of the machine. This delivering apron is therefore caused
to travel in the same line or plane as the bodily progress of the machine, but in the
opposite direction thereto, and consequently at right angles or transversely to that
of the binding and ejecting mechanisin.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, U is the endless travelling apron or platform formed
of canvas or other flexible material, and provided with suitable projections for pre-
venting the crop slipping when set in motion. This apron is carried by rollers y, Y,
mounted at the side of the binding table I, and having their inner bearings in the
framing of the latter, and their outer bearings provided by a transverse strut or
bar u, supported by the diagonal framing u¹ attached to the binding table in any
convenient manner. Motion is imparted to the said rollers and apron carried
thereon by means of the bevel or mitre gearing W in connection with the spindle W
which receives motion by the sprocket wheel B driven by an endless chain in
communication with the main travelling wheel A as already described. Therefore as
long as the driving clutch is in gear and the liarvesting machine is being moved
over the ground, the auxilliary discharging apron is kept continuously travelling
towards the rear of the machine, and is about right angles to the binding
apparatus.
Thus when a sheaf has been bound upon the table I it is ejected by the kickers
D and D¹ on to this auxilliary moving apron, and discharged or delivered backwards
on to the ground, clear of the framing and other parts of the machine.
It will be readily understood that this class of sheaf discharging device is pro-
vided for harvesting machines in which the binding operations are carried out
between the main receiving platform and the main travelling wheel,.and in which
cases it is obviously inconvenient to discharge or eject the sheaves directly from
the binding apparatus out at the side of the machine.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of our said Inven-
tion, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect, we

page_text: would observe in conclusion that what we consider to be novel and original, and
therefore claim as the Invention secured to us by the hereinbefore in part recited
Letters Patent is,-
First. In harvesting machines in which the grain after it is cut falls on a
platform, having teeth on projections moving transversely to the progress of the
machine; the dividing the platform into two parts, of which one part, namely, that
nearest to the driving wheel, is fixed to the framework which contains the driving
mechanism, whilst the other part is hinged, such hinge running through from front
to back of the platform, substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore
described.
Second. In harvesting machines in which the grain after it is cut falls upon a
platform, having teeth or other projections travelling transversely to the progress
of the machine, and in which the grain is bound upon the same level or nearly so
as that of the platform, on to which it falls when cut, that is to say, without the
employment of elevating aprons; the employment of a secondary platform or its
equivalent, slotted or having openings for the passage of the travelling teeth
or projections, but so arranged that by the act of raising or moving the said
secondary platform or its equivalent, when a sufficient quantity of cut grain is
collected for delivery to the binding device, the travelling teeth or projections will
be masked or caused to clear or escape the cut grain whilst still continuing their
travelling motion, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Third. In the string binding apparatus of harvesting machines, the combination
with a knotting device of the type herein before referred of two auxilliary hooks or
projections having a motion at right angles to the knotter shaft, one of such hooks
or projections laying the string over the jaws of the knotting device, whilst the
other hook or projection disengages the loop from the said jaws after the knot has
been formed, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Fourth. In the string binding apparatus of harvesting machine. A cutting
apparatus in which the cutter is moved into position for action by the descent of
needle, and is by the ascent of the needle released, so as to be free to operate under
the action of a spring, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Fifth. In the spring binding apparatus of harvesting machines, the operating
the pronged presser of the string holding and retaining device, and the auxilliary
hooks or projections of the knotting device, in conjunction or not with the cutter
by the descent and ascent of the needle, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Sixth. In the string binding apparatus of harvesting machines, the peculiar con-
struction, arrangement, and combination of parts constituting a binding apparatus,
substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the accompanying
Drawings.
Seventh. In harvesting machines in which the binding device is placed between
the main platform and the main driving wheel; the employment of auxilliary
toothed travelling platform or endless apron operating in the line of motion of the
machine, but in the direction opposite to that of the motion of such machine for
the purpose of receiving the bound sheaves and discharging them clear of the frame
of the machine, substantially as herein before described.
In witness whereof, we, the said Bernhard Samuelson and William George
Manwaring, have to this our Specification set our hands and seals, this First
day of November. One thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
B. SAMUELSON. (L.S.)
W. G. MANWARING. (L.S.)