IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF HARVESTING MACHINES, PART OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS IS APPLICABLE TO THE BINDING OF WOOD AND OTHER MATERIALS INTO BUNDLES."
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Kearsley, of Ripon, in the County of York,
Agricultural Implement Maker, and Edwin Whitworth, of Longsight, in the
County of Lancaster, Mechanical Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF HARVESTING MACHINES, PART OF WHICH
IMPROVEMENTS IS APPLICABLE TO THE BINDING OF WOOD AND OTHER
MATERIALS INTO BUNDLES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Kearsley and Edwin
Whitworth at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 11th October
1878.
GEORGE KEARSLEY, of Ripon, in the County of York, Agricultural Implement
Maker, and EDWIN WHITWORTH, of Longsight, in the County of Lancaster,
Mechanical Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF HARVESTING
MACHINES, PART OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS IS APPLICABLE TO THE BINDING OF
WOOD AND OTHER MATERIALS INTO BUNDLES."
This Invention, so far as it relates to harvesting machines, consists, firstly, in a
novel mode of manufacturing the fingers; and, secondly, in a novel arrangement of
mechanism for gathering and tying up the cut crop into bundles.
In forming the fingers of harvesting machines it is found desirable to make the
edges of both the upper and under side of the slot of steel, while at the same time
the cross bar shall possess the toughness of iron. The mode in which we carry out
this object is to take a piece of bar iron of suitable size, and weld upon one side
thereof a piece of bar steel of about the same width and about half the thickness,
but of shorter length, so as to leave the end of the bar iron uncovered. This com-
pound bar we then double upon itself, turning the steel face outside, and the enda
we bend outwards to form the guard or cross piece. The finger thus far formed

page_text: we weld to a piece of iron, which constitutes the bottom part of the finger, and we
then shape up the finger by forging and slotting it transversely to receive the
cutters.
In harvesting machines which are provided with mechanism for tying the corn
into bundles or sheaves the platform of the machine is fitted with travelling aprons
which lift the cut crop and discharge it over an inclined fence on to the binding
table. In this case the fence is slotted to allow of the curved reciprocating binding
arm passing through the fence and behind the material, resting against the fence,
so that it may lay a band around the material to be bound. This binding arm has
its fulcrum on the disc of an overhead rock shaft that runs parallel with the fence.
The arm is formed with a tail piece, and two studs on the disc serve to actuate the
arm as the overhead shaft is rocked by the pins on the disc, striking alternately
the binding arm and its tail extension. The free end of this binding arm is formed
into a clip to receive and hold firmly the end of a band which is drawn from a reel
below or clear of the table, and threaded through eyes in a flexible tension bar
situated below the table. This band as it is drawn up through the binding table
is led under a knotter of peculiar construction below the table, and so situate with
respect to the binding arm that when that arm descends to complete the lapping of
a band around a bundle or sheaf of the cut crop the portion of the band drawn
down by the binding arm will be brought under the action of the knotter. As the
binding arm descends for this purpose it brings the string held in the clip near to
the string from the reel; thus both ends of the band will be brought together.
While this motion of the binding arm is taking place a reciprocating arm, which
may be termed the compressor, will rise in front of the table, and approaching the
descending binding arm will compress the sheaf and hold it while being bound.
The opposite ends of the band being now brought together below the table the
knotter will commence to act. This knotter, which is of a peculiar construction,
consists of a vertical spindle carrying at its upper end two prongs, which stand out
horizontally from one side of the spindle, while a bent tail piece projects in an
opposite direction from the other side of the head of the spindle. The extremity of
the upper prong is turned inwards so as nearly to close the space between the two
prongs, and the bottom prong is tapered for the purpose to be presently explained.
The spindle of the knotter receives an axial motion through suitable gearing for
the purpose of acting upon the band when the binding arm is brought down to its
lowest position and the band is laid around the sheaf. At this time one end of tho
band is vertically held by the bobbin from which the band is drawn, and the other
end is fast in the clip of the binding arm. The knotter standing up between the
sheaf and the retained ends of the band will on rotary motion being imparted to
it bring the prongs across the band and lay the same against the forward side of
the prongs. The tail picce by the continued rotation of the spindle will by pressing
on another portion of the band completo the lapping of the band around the prongs.
As the spindle continues its rotation the opening between the prongs will be brought
into line with the portions of the band that are held by the retaining instruments;
the band will then be drawn within this space and laid against the loop formed on
the prongs.
A pin attached to one of the gear wheels which rotate the knotter will now strike
against the flexible tension bar before mentioned, and by forcing it downwards will
tighten the string or band around the sheaf.
The rotation of the spindle now ceases, and by the advance of a pusher the loop
is forced off the prongs, the tapering of the lower prong facilitating this operation, the
crossed portion of the band being caught in the look of the upper prong and retained.
This retention of a portion of the band by the hook while the loop is being thrust off
the prongs produces the required tie. It now only remains to disconnect the band
from the knotter, and this is done by a cutting blade constituting a portion of the
pusher, which being moved across the band between the knotter and the clip of
the binding arm will sever the tied band from the length of the reel. The descent

page_text: of the compressing arm below the table will now leave the bound sheaf free to be
discharged from the machine.
The above-described apparatus when applied to a reaping machine we so arrange
as to permit of its being shifted laterally to suit various lengths of crop.
We also propose in some cases to construct this binding mechanism as a distinct
machine, and to use it to gather up from the ground the cut crop and bind it into
bundles.
The knotting mechanism also admits of application to the binding of bundles of
various kinds; for example, firewood and fire kindlers, also the tying up of packages.
In some cases a suitable receptacle must be provided in place of the binding table
to receive the goods to be bound.

page_text: "
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said George Kearsley and Edwin Whitworth in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 10th April 1879.
GEORGE KEARSLEY, of Ripon, in the County of York, Agricultural Implement
Maker, and EDWIN WHITWORTH, of Longsight, in the County of Lancaster,
-Mechanical Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF HARVESTING
MACHINES, PART OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS IS APPLICABLE TO THE BINDING OF
WOOD AND OTHER MATERIALS INTO BUNDLES."
This Invention, so far as it relates to harvesting machines, consists, firstly, in a
novel mode of manufacturing the fingers; and, secondly, in a novel arrangement of
mechanism for gathering and tying up the cut crop into bundles.
In forming the fingers of harvesting machines it is found desirable to make the
edges of both the upper and under side of the slot of steel, while at the same time
the cross bar shall possess the toughness of iron. The mode in which we carry out
this object is shewn in several views in Sheet 1. of the accompanying Drawings.
The faggotted fingers we compose of three pieces, viz., one piece of steel and two
pieces of iron, which when welded to shape will not only give steel edges to the
upper and under sides of the slot, but give the fingers a steel point while the guard
will be of soft iron.
Figures 1 shew a bar of iron recessed to receive a shorter bar of mild steel, which
bar is shewn detached at Figures 2.
Figures 3 shew in front view, edge view, and cross section the two bars welded
together and ready to undergo the next operation, which is to fold back the com-
pound bar upon itself, bringing the steel surface outwards.
This is illustrated in the plan view, Fig. 4, which shows also the soft iron extre-
mities of the recessed bar, bent outwards at right angles to the folded portion in
order to constitute the guard or cross piece.
The finger thus far formed is ready to be welded to shape, but preparatory to this
operation we prepare a piece of iron which is to form the bottom part of the finger,
as shewn detaclied at Fig. 5, and upon this piece we lay the piece illustrated at
Fig. 4, which together make a pile similar to that shewn in plan and side views at
Figures 6 and 7.
After welding the parts together we reheat the mass, and submit it to suitably
shaped swaging dies, which reduce it to the form shewn in the plan view, Fig. 8.
To complete the finger it is now necessary to slot it; this is done in the ordinary
way, and the finger will then present the form illustrated by the side view, Fig. 9,
of which Fig. 10 is a cross section taken in the line 1, 2, of that Figure.
The position taken by the external coating of steel is clearly indicated by the dotted
sectional lines, which shew that both the upper and lower edges of the slot in which
the cutters work are formed of steel (the slot for the cutters being made through)
and also the finger point. The remaining or unsectional parts of the finger repre-
sent the soft iron portions which are required to be tough and not liable to fracture.
In harvesting machines which are provided with mechanism for tying the corn into
bundles or sheaves the platform of the machine is fitted with travelling aprons
which lift the cut crop and discharge it over an inclined fence on to the binding
table. In our improved machine the fonce is slotted to allow of the curved recip-
rocating binding arm passing through the fence and behind the material, resting
against the fence so that it may lay a band around the material to be bound.
This binding arm has its fulcrum on the disc or crank arm of an overhead rock
shaft that runs parallel with the fence. The binding arm is formed with a tail
piece, and two studs on the crank arm serve to actuate the binding arm as the
overhead shaft is rocked by the pins on the crank arm striking alternately the
binding arm and its tail extension. The free end of this binding arm is formed
into a clip to receive and hold firmly the end of a band or string which is drawn

page_text: from a reel below or clear of the table, and threaded through eyes in a flexible
tension bar situated below the table. This band or string as it is drawn up through
the binding table is led under a knotter of peculiar construction below the table,
and so situate with respect to the binding arm that when that arm descends to
complete the lapping of a band or string around a bundle or sheaf of the cut crop
the portion of the band or string drawn by the binding arm will be brought under
the action of the knotter. As the binding arm descends for this purpose it brings
the string (held in the clip) near to the string from the reel; thus, both ends of the
band or string will be brought together. While this motion of the binding arm is
taking place a reciprocating arm, which may be termed the compressor, will rise in
front of the table, and approaching the descending binding arm will compress the
sheaf and hold it while being bound.
The opposite ends of the band or string being now brought together below the
table the knotter will commence to act. This knotter consists of a vertical spindle,
carrying at its upper end two prongs which stand out horizontally from one side of
the spindle, while a bent tail piece projects in an opposite direction from the other
side of the head of the spindle. The extremnity of the lower and shorter prong is
turned inwards so as nearly to close the space between the two prongs, and the
other is tapered for the purpose to be presently explained.
At
The spindle of the knotter receives an axial motion through suitable gearing for
the purpose of acting upon the band or string when the binding arm is brought
down to its lowest position, and the band or string is laid around the sheaf.
this time one end of the band or string is vertically held by the bobbin from which
the band or string is drawn and the other end is fast in the clip of the binding
arm.
The knotter standing up between the sheaf and the retained ends of the band or
string will, on rotary motion being imparted to it bring the prongs across the band
and lay the same against the forward side of the prongs. The tail piece, by the
continued rotation of the spindle, will by pressing on another portion of the band
complete the lapping of the band around the prongs. As the spindle continues its
rotation the opening between the prongs will be brought into line with the portions
of the band that are held by the retaining instruments, the band will then be drawn
within this space and laid against the loop formed on the prongs. A pin attached
to one of the gear wheels which rotate the knotter will now strike against the
flexible tension bar before-mentioned, and by forcing it downwards will tighten the
string or band around the sheaf.
The rotation of the spindle now ceases and by the advance of a pusher the loop
is forced off the prongs, the tapering of the prongs facilitating this operation, the
crossed portion of the band being caught by the hooked prong and retained.
This retention of a portion of the band by the hook while the loop is being thrust
off the prongs produces the required tie. It now only remains to disconnect the
the band from the knotter, and this is done by a cutting blade constituting a portion
of the pusher, which after pushing the tie off the knotter presses the band against
a fixed cutting edge and thereby severs it from the length on the reel. The descent
of the compressing arm below the table will now leave the bound sheaf free to be
discharged from the machine.
The above-described apparatus when applied to a reaping machine we so
arrange as to permit of its being shifted laterally to suit various lengths of
crop.
Having now explained generally the nature of the second part of our Invention
we will proceed to explain the same more in detail, reference being had to Sheets
II., III, and IV. of the accompanying Drawings.
In Sheet II., Fig. 1 represents in end elevation a portion of a reaping machine
shewing the binding apparatus applied thereto.
Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same, and Fig. 3 is a plan view.
A, A, is the framework of the implement carrying the elevating bands which
deliver the cut corn down the inclined fence on to the platform or binding table

page_text: B; A is the driving and carrying wheel; C is a transverse shaft mounted in
standards on the binding table B. This table is mounted on a carriage B' to
permit of its adjustment laterally, together with the parts connected therewith, to
suit different lengths of crop, and carrying at its forward end a crank arm D, on
which is pivotted the binding arm E. This arm is provided with a tail picce e,
which through stud pins on the crank arın serves to limit the motion of the arm
E in both directions; F is the compressing arm mounted loosely on the shaft G
below the table B, and connected with its shaft by an elastic coupling; H is a
driving shaft receiving motion from any convenient part of the reaping machine
proper; H is a flanged disc keyed on the shaft H, a portion of the flange being
cut away to form a cam-like projection for operating the compressing arm shaft G,
through a tail piece fitted to the shaft G. Keyed to the opposite end of this
shaft is a chain wheel I, for giving motion by means of a chain to the elevated shaft
C; J is the knotter mounted vertically in a bracket attached to the side of the
binding table B. This knotter receives its rotary motion through bevel gearing
from the shaft H; K is the pusher mounted in slides on the under side of the
binding table B, and pivotted to the forked end of a rock lever k, operated by a cam
k on the shaft H; L is an inclined fence down which the cut crop is delivered on
to the binding table B, by means of endless bands M, M, from the table of the
reaping machine. It has been said that the free end of the binding arm E is formed
into a clip to receive and hold firmly the end of the band which is drawn from tho
reel or bobbin carrying the binding material. This clip here employed is similar to
the clip shewn and described in a Patent granted to Edwin Whitworth, dated
September Twenty-fourth, One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven, No.
3585, with certain improvements herein-after described, which insure a more efficient
action of the same. The construction of this clip is shewn on an enlarged scale at
Figures 4 and 5, Sheet III., Fig. 4 being a top view, and Fig. 5 an end view
of the same.
It consists of a pair of elastic gripping jaws corrugated longitudinally on their
gripping faces so that when they grip the string it will take an undulating form,
and will be held firmly against an endway strain of the string, while at the same
time the string is free to slide inwards towards a transverse sliding bar that overlies
a circular opening at the inner end of the gripping jaws. This bar arrosts the
lateral motion of the string, but in its edge is formed a circular recess corresponding
to the opening at the end of the gripping jaws. When therefore these openings are
brought into coincidence the string will be free to leave the clip. The endway
motion of this sliding bar to bring the openings into line is effected by the end of
this bar striking against a fixed incline b on the table B. A tendency is given to
the bar to return to its normal position by means of a coiled spring shewn in the
detached views, Figures 4 and 5.
Referring now to Figures 1, 2, and 3, M¹ is the bobbin situate below the table
from which the binding string is drawn. It is first threaded through eyes in a
flexible tension bar N attached to the under side of the table, and it is thence led
to and laid in the clip of the arm E, which dips below the table to receive the
string.
The upward motion of this binding arm to the dotted position of Fig. 1, Sheet II.,
places the string in such a position that the cut crop falls against it. The return
motion of the binding arm carries the strings over and around the cut crop, and
leads it down below the table, when it is brought against the knotter in a suitable
position for tying; when the tension bar N is used as shewn in Sheet II. the
binding arm carrying the clip must pauso and await the rotation of the knotter;
and when the knot is formed the arm again moves forward and grasps the string
from the bobbin.
During this motion of the binding arm the compressing arm F rises into the
position shewn in Fig. 1, Sheet II., and holds the sheaf against the pressure of the
binding arm E, the elastic connection of the compressing arm with its shaft
permitting it to yield to any undue pressure.

page_text: The action of the knotter is as follows;-
The string from the sheaf lying in a plane at right angles to the prongs of the
knotter is borne against the forward face of the prongs, as shewn in elevation at
Fig. 6, Sheet III., and in plan view at Fig. 6. Rotary motion being now given to
the knotter in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 6a, the string will by a half rotation
of the knotter perform the movement shewn at Figures 7 and 7ª, the tail piece
lifting the string that lies between the knotter and the binding arm. Another half
rotation of the knotter brings the string into the position shewn in Figures 8 and
8, which represent the string as lapped around the prongs, and having entered the
space between the prongs and passed in rear of the hook of the lower prong. This
having been effected, the rotation of the knotter ceases, and the pusher K is now
advanced.
This pusher is a sliding blade, and coming towards the prongs of the knotter at a
slight incline, it presses the vertical loop of the string off the lower prong on to the
string which is caught in the hook of the lower prong. This is the position shewn
in Figures 9, and 9. A further advance of the pusher tightens up the loop on the
upper prong of the knotter, and also further runs up the knot nearer the sheaf.
This advance of the pusher and the tightening up of the loop on the upper prong
is shewn at Figures 10 and 10*, Sheet III.
The advance of the pusher to its full extent completes the knot by severing the
string between the cutting edge of the pusher and a fixed cutter O, as already
explained.
When this is effected the knot is complete, as shewn at Fig. 11, and it drops
away with the sheaf, drawing out in the act of falling a severed end which is held
by the hook of the knotter prong.
It will be understood that the clip of the binding arın still retains the string
which is drawn from the bobbin.
The action of the tension bar N will be best understood by reference to Figures
12 and 13, Sheet IV., which represent its connection with the bobbin and the
wheel carrying the tappet for depressing the bar and tightening the string.
It will be understood that although the tension bar is shewn in Sheet II. in
connection with the knotter, the knot can be tightened up by the pusher alone, as
shewn in Sheet III.
In order to facilitate the passage of the reaping machine with our improved
binding apparatus attached thereto through narrow passages such as.gateways, we
hinge the supporting carriage of the table B at one corner (as shewn at Fig. 3a) to
the main framing, and connect it at its opposite corner by a temporary attachment
to the main framing.
By removing the pin or catch of this temporary attachment, the carriage with its
table is free to swing from the side to the rear of the machine, or into the dotted
position shewn at Fig. 3, Sheet II.
We may sometimes find it convenient to construct the binding apparatus above
described as a distinct machine, combining it with a means for picking up the cut
crop from the ground and placing it upon the binding table. The manner of
carrying out this combination will be obvious to any practical mechanic familiar
with this clas of agricultural machinery.
We also propose to adapt our improved knotter to the tying up of bundles of
wood and other materials.
An arrangement for effecting this object is shewn in Sheet IV. of the Drawings,
where Fig. 14 is a plan view, and Fig. 15 a sectional elevation of so much of a
machine for binding wood into bundles as will serve to explain the adaptation of
the knotter to this and kindred uses.
A, B, are two endless belts driven by suitable pulleys C, C, and serving to carry
a gathering or collecting arm D. E, E, are two adjustable pieces fitted to the
table G for receiving between them the pieces of wood which are to form the
bundle, and adjusting their position lengthwise. The wood is delivered by hand
on to the table G, and the gathering arm D, travelling on the belts A, B, carries the

page_text: cut wood against the compresser H. This compresser slides in guides I, I, and a
spring is arranged so that the compresser can vary its compression to suit different
sized bundles, as in the first-described arrangement.
When the gatherer D brings forward the wood it comes against a binding string
which is drawn from a bobbin J. The end of the string which is led from the
bobbin J is held in the clip of the binding arm K which has an up-and-down
motion. The string is thus laid partly around the bundle, and the motion of the
binding arm, in coming down, places the string around the bundle, after which it
is tied substantially as described with relation to Sheet III.
The belt pulleys C, C, derive an intermittent motion from the disc M, which is
actuated by a chain or band O carrying at suitable positions lateral projections P
which engage with projecting ribs N on the disc M.
Qis a chain wheel running loose on the shaft R, which also carries the disc M.
The chain O has a continuous motion, which may be derived from an overhead
shaft to be driven by hand.
This intermittent motion allows the material to be collected and compressed, and
to be at rest, while being bound, after which a cam S on the chain wheel Q actuates
a connecting rod T, and moves back the compresser H to the position indicated by
dotted lines at L.
The belts A, B, resuming their motion, the bound bundle is pushed off and the
gatherer D advances to gather up another bundle.
Having now set forth the nature of our Invention of "Improvements in the
Construction of Harvesting Machines, Part of which Improvements is Applicable to
the Binding of Wood and other Materials into Bundles and having explained the
manner of carrying the same into effect, we wish it to be understood that under the
above in part recited Letters Patent, we claim,―
First. Constructing the fingers of harvesting machines of iron and stoel, in the
nanner above described.
Second. The combination or arrangement of the sheaf-binding apparatus described
with reference to Sheet II. of the Drawings.
Third. The means above described with reference to Sheet III. of the Drawings
for forming the knot shewn at Fig. 11, by which the binding strings or bands of
bundles of cut crops and of wood and other materials are secured.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Kearsley, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Ninth day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-ninc.
ARADAN TRATAT TY