IMPROVEMENTS IN HARVESTING MACHINES
Year: 1869

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the "International
Patent Office," No. 8, Southampton Buildings, London, Consulting
Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN HARVESTING
MACHINES." A communication from abroad by Thomas Fawcett, of
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert
Lake at the. Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 28th September 1869.
I, WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the "International Patent Office,"
No. 8, Southampton Buildings, London, Consulting Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN HARVESTING
MACHINES," a communication, to be as follows:-
This Invention consists, first, in a rectangular or nearly so cast-iron
box main frame for containing all of the cogged wheels, their shafts, and
journal bearings, and which is protected by a cover hinged or otherwise
attached thereto and forming a part of the box, and which can be raised
or removed for oiling, cleaning, or repairing and again replaced to keep

page_text: the wheels enclosed and free from dust, grit, and other extraneous
matters.
It further consists in an open hook hinge for connecting the finger
bar to the intermediate or coupling arm or bar so as to allow the finger
bar to rock or roll at right angles to the line of its length without binding
or cramping the connections.
It further consists in hanging the drag bar to two arms or cranes so
that in raising the cutter and finger bar the drag bar may have a rotary
or turning motion without being bound or held by its supports.
It further consists in the combination of two independent driving
and supporting wheels and one internal main gear wheel on the main
axle when so arranged that the internal gear wheel will revolve between
and the supporting wheels outside of the boxes or bearings of the said
main axle.
It further consists in the combination of three pairs of toothed
wheels for giving motion to the cutters, consisting of two internal
spur wheels, and their pinions and an intermediate bevel wheel and
its pinion.
It further consists in combining with a triple gear such as above
stated a crank shaft arranged below and crossing the main axle.
:
It further consists in forming a recess in the bottom of the en-
closing case for receiving the crank shaft, which recess or its walls
will strengthen the box frame and prevent it from cracking whilst
*cooling.
It further consists in supporting the seat irons by means of sockets
cast on the lid or box that contains or covers the gears.
It further consists in a tongue, socket, and arm for receiving the front
end of the drag bar when cast in one piece and combined with a metallic
ease for containing driving gear.
It further consists in the use of internal gear wheels having an open 3
space or clearance between the inner ends of its teeth or cogs and the
web or centre of the wheel.
It further consists in connection with the box frame in the use of
"cut gearing" or engine made gearing as contradistinguished from
cast gearing, which is much more true, runs with much less friction, and
will last much longer than the cast gearing.

page_text: It further consists in the construction and use of a reel and rake so
arranged that the operation of the latter can be arrested without
arresting or interfering with the motion of the reel or gathering
arms.
It further consists in the mode of connecting the reel blades with the
arms and rake shaft to which they are attached so as to allow said blades
and rake shaft to be adjusted in two directions.
It further consists in the use of rakes so arranged for adjustment on
the blades or beaters that their teeth may be withdrawn behind the
edges of the blades after the latter have passed above or beyond the
cutter bar for the prompt discharge of the grain from the rakes and
delivery upon the platform or upon a dropper or upon the ground as may
be preferred.
A pair of independent driving and supporting wheels are arranged
upon the main axle in the usual way of arranging and connecting such
wheels and axle in harvesting machines. Upon this axle there is
supported by journal boxes or bearings a box frame of cast iron wide
enough and long enough to contain all the cogged wheels and their
shafts. The cast-iron box frame protects the gearing and shafting, and
also affords journal bearings to parts which may be interchangeable, so
that with duplicate pieces the user need never have his machine disabled
for any length of time, every piece being so cut or made as to readily fit
its proper position, and the gearing being cut is always true and works
without strain. Upon the axle within the box frame and between the
bearings outside of which latter the driving and supporting wheels are
placed is hung the main internal gear wheel in which a pinion on a
shaft runs. This internal gear wheel and its pinion are entirely pro-
tected from injury, and the said gear wheel has an open space or
clearance between the inner ends of its cogs or teeth and its web or
closed end, which not only admits of cutting the teeth clear through, but
acts for a clearance to anything which may get between the said cogs.
On the shaft of the said pinion there is a bevel wheel that turns a second
bevel pinion on a shaft upon which is a second internal gear wheel made
similar to the internal wheel above described and for a similar purpose.
This second internal gear wheel turns a pinion on the crank shaft that
extends from the front or near the front of the box frame passing under-
neath the main axle, and in a recess in the box frame; it extends to and
through the rear of the frame, and has upon it outside of the frame at

page_text: its rear end a crank wheel that gives motion to the cutters. The journal
bearings of the crank shaft are quite remote from each other, and enable
it not only to withstand better the strain of the crank, but also to admit
of considerable wear in its bearings without injuriously affecting the
working. The cover has lugs at its forward end that fit into and under
the flange of the box frame, and by means of a turning button at its rear
end is securely fixed and held in place, whilst it may at any time be
readily removed. All the journal boxes or their caps as well as the
shafts and gearing are capable of removal from the top of the box frame.
The finger bar with its cutters, guards, and outside divider or shoe
applied is hinged to the drag bar so that the points of the fingers may
rise and fall, their upward motion being limited by a tongue piece passing
under a bolt arranged in one of a series of holes in the lugs. The drag
bar extends forward and upward, and its forward end has a journal upon
it, which passes through an opening made in the end of a projecting
crane or arm which is secured to the main frame or box frame; the said
opening being larger at its ends than at its central portion to admit of
the rising and falling of the drag bar as well as a longitudinal motion of
it without binding or cramping it in the said opening, whilst its con-
tracted portion prevents any lost or shackling motion of the journal and
drag bar. The said journal is untrammeled in its opening except as to
its shackle motion. The said finger bar is hinged to the rear under part
of the box frame by an intermediate coupling arm or crane, which
extending from the said hinge joint downward and outwards towards
the end of the finger bar is connected to a portion thereof by an open
hook on its extreme end hooking into an eye on the said portion, and a
brace connected to the said hinged arm or crane and extending obliquely
forwards and upwards is pivoted to the under side of the box frame.
The connecting rod is attached to the wrist of the crank wheel by one
of its ends, the other end thereof being secured in a lug on the sickle bar
so as to reciprocate the cutters. A lever is pivoted to the main frame,
its long arm extending upward in a convenient position for the operator
in his seat to handle. To the short bent end of this lever is hitched a
chain, which passes rearward over a pulley wheel, then descends and is
.fastened to a brace, so that by means of the said lever the finger bar and
cutting apparatus may be raised and held up or let down at pleasure.
When the lever is throwh clear forward to raise up the cutting
apparatus it will remain there without any fastening. A link rod
is connected to the rear of the main frame, and a screw is cut upon

page_text: its further end, which end is passed through a hole in the finger bar.
When the latter is raised or swung up far enough a nut is run upon the
protruding end of thescrew; the cutter and finger bar are thus held and
carried in this raised position. A rest or support is used to catch
and hold the connecting rod should it be detached, and a shield is placed
under the crank wheel to prevent its catching or winding up the straw or
grass. On the top of the main frame and at the sides thereof there are
clevated rails or supports, upon which the driver's seat is placed. This
seat is let into or inserted in sockets and may be moved forward or
backward on its supports. The draft pole is set in a recess in the same
piece that constitutes the arm or crane, and is upon the front grain side
corner of the main frame. Upon this piece or part may also be
arranged a cup or receptacle for holding an oil can. A tool chest is
placed inside of the box frame. A clutch is arranged in connection with
the first pinion, and this clutch when not out of action is held in by a
spring; but when the pinion is to be unclutched to stop the wheels and
cutter a pivotted latch is let down to lock it out of action; the raising
of the bolt and the operation of the clutch lever can be effected by the
driver in his seat, the lever projecting through a slot in the cover for
that purpose. When the lever is drawn back to unclutch the pinion
the latch finds it own keeper and needs no manipulation. To clutch the
pinion the latch is raised from its keeper, and the spring moves the
clutch and pinion into action with the internal gear wheel, and the parts.
are again in motion. The driving wheels are so arranged with spring
pawls and ratchets that they turn with the axle when the machine is
moving forward, but are independant of or loose on the said axle when
the machine is backed or is being turned around.
In applying an automatic rake and reel to this machine the same is
furnished with a quadrant-shaped platform or graintable, over which
the rake and reel or beater arms are caused to revolve and rise and fall or
move in an inclined plane by means of a bent post or journal and a
toothed wheel driven by power transmitted from the main axle or driving:
wheel of the machine. On a suitable foundation or bed plate is secured
a box or bearings for the shaft of a bevel pinion driven by a chain belt.
or otherwise from the main axle or any other suitable moving part of the
machine. This pinion meshes into and imparts motion to a beveled
wheel, which is provided with a collar or sleeve forming a hollow shaft, on
the upper end of which is a second beveled pinion; these jointly revolve

page_text: on a central fixed shaft, which is bent more or less above the said pinion
for the reception of a third bevel pinion meshing with the second pinion.
The third pinion is also provided with arms, to which are connected the
beaters or blades. A washer and pin secure the third pinion to the
shaft, and in the upper face of the horizontal wheel are three or more
slots or grooves. A disk having a hub through which passes the cylin-
drical sleeve rests upon the horizontal wheel and to a pin passing through
lugs on the disk is hung'a clutch which can drop into any one of the slots
of the said wheel, and thus cause the disk to revolve in unison with the
wheel; to the said disk is also jointed an arm to which is connected a
rake. In a bracket at one side of the horizontal wheel slides a rod,
which is maintained at the limit of its outward motion by a spring, and
is so connected to a suitable foot lever that it can be moved toward the
wheel when desired, so that, as the wheel in its rotation brings the clutch
against the inner end of the rod the clutch will be raised out of the
groove or slot in the top of the horizontal wheel, the motion of the disk
with its rake attachment being thus arrested while the reel continues its
motion as before. On drawing back the lever the clutch drops down
into the next slot brought beneath it and locks the disc again to the
wheel, when the action of the rake is again resumed.
To obtain a rising and falling motion of the rake in its rotation an
annular cam is employed, which consists of two inclined and two hori-
zontal portions, each of the inclined portions occupying about sixty
degrees of the circle leaving one hundred and twenty degrees in the
planes on opposite sides, but one elevated above the other. The rake
arm has a circular head provided with two cogs or teeth. The operation
of the cam upon the rake arm is such that as the latter passes over the
lower plane the rake is carried from the cutter bar to the rear of the plat-
form a little above the latter in the ordinary manner. As the rake arm is
brought to the point where the cam rises upward (forming an inner
inclined track for the upper tooth) it is elevated, thereby bringing the
rake to a vertical position, and thus elevated it traverses the upper plane
past the driver on the machine (the tooth or cog bearing on the adjacent
inclined plane), after which as the tooth is brought on the inclined part
the rake descends to a horizontal position, and operates as before. To allow
for the adjustment of the rake and reel arms a connecting plate is in-
troduced, in which are formed one straight and one curved slot, and which
is fastened by a screw bolt so that the attached shaft or blade may be

page_text: raised at the heel or lowered and also be inclined more or less on the
end of the pivot bolt, and thus be adjusted to the platform of the reaper.
In another arrangement of rakes and beaters a vertical standard or bar
is secured to the frame of the machine, and is bent at the upper end, as
above described, towards the side of the machine from which the cutter
bar projects or extends. On the upper inclined end of the standard turns
a disk, from which project at an angle three arms, and to the outer ends
of each of the said arms is secured a blade or beater; these beaters are so
arranged on the arms and at such an angle that as the disk revolves in
one direction each blade will be carried over the cutter bar parallel to and
nearly in contact with the said bar. At the side of each blade is a rake
bar, which is secured to the blade near its outer end only, and is reduced
in thickness near this end so that it can be bent back a short distance from
the outer edge of the blade, and thus withdraw the teeth from beyond the
said edge, the bar owing to the elasticity of the reduced portion
resuming a position parallel to the edge of the blade when all pressure
is removed. To the upper end of the standard which projects beyond
the hub of the disk is secured an adjustable plate, and near one side of
the latter is a pin which is eccentric to the axis of the disc on which turns
a triangular plate; to each arm of the plate is connected a cord or wire,
the opposite end of which is secured to the inner end of one of the rakes.
Owing to the eccentricity of the pin and the axis of the disk the rakes
and blades during their rotation move in a circle the centre of which
does not coincide with the said pin. The cords or wires which are secured
to the said pin through the medium of the plate will therefore be slack
during a portion of each revolution, and will then become taut during
another portion of the rotation, and draw back the rakes to which they
are attached. The pin is so arranged by adjusting the plate that the
rakes shall be drawn back immediately after they have passed over the
cutter bar, the grain held by the rake falling on to the platform as the
teeth of the rake are withdrawn behind the edge of the blade or beater.
By adjusting the pin the discharge of the grain may be effected at any
desired point of the rotation of the rakes. Instead of reducing the rake.
bar in thickness in order to render it elastic as described it may be
jointed by a bolt to the outer end of the blade, a spring bearing on
the bar so as to move it outward as the cord is slackened..

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 28th March 1870.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
ROBERT LAKE, of the "International Patent Office," No. 8, Southampton
Buildings, London, Consulting Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-eighth day of September, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, in
the thirty-third year of Her reign, did for Herself, Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto me, the said William Robert Lake, Her
special licence that I, the said William Robert Lake, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William Robert
Lake, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN HARVESTING MACHINES," a communication to me from
abroad by Thomas Fawcett, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, United States of
America, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said William
Robert Lake, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in
writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should par-
ticularly 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 Robert Lake, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement, reference being had to the accom-
panying Drawings forming a part of this Specification.
This Invention consists, first, in a rectangular or nearly so cast-iron
box main frame for containing all of the cogged wheels, their shafts,
and journal bearings, and which is protected by a cover hinged or
otherwise attached thereto and forming a part of the box, and which

page_text: can be raised or removed for oiling, cleaning, or repairing, and again
replaced to keep the wheels enclosed and free from dust, grit, and other
extraneous matters.
It further consists in an open hook hinge for connecting the finger
bar to the intermediate or coupling arm or bar so as to allow the finger
bar to rock or roll at right angles to the line of its length without
binding or cramping the connections.
It further consists in hanging the drag bar to two arms or cranes so
that in raising the cutter and finger bar the drag bar may have a rotary
or turning motion without being bound or held by its supports.
It further consists in the combination of two independent driving and
supporting wheels and one internal main gear wheel on the main axle
when so arranged that the internal gear wheel will revolve between and
the supporting wheels outside of the boxes or bearings of the said main
axle.
It further consists in the combination of three pairs of toothed whicels
for giving motion to the cutters, consisting of two internal spur whicels
and their pinions, and an intermediate bevel wheel and its pinion.
It further consists in combining with a triple gear such as above stated
a crank shaft arranged below and crossing the main axle.
It further consists in forming a recess in the bottom of the enclosing
case for receiving the crank shaft, which recess or its walls will
strengthen the box frame, and prevent it from cracking whilst
cooling.
It further consists in supporting the seat irons by means of sockets
cast on the lid or box that contains or covers the gearing.
It further consists in a tongue, socket, and arm for receiving the front
end of the drag bar when cast in one piece and combined with "a
metallic case for containing driving gear.
It further consists in the use of internal gear wheels having an open
space or clearance between the inner ends of its teeth or cogs and the
web or centre of the wheel.
It further consists in connection with the box frame in the use of
"cut gearing" or engine made gearing as contra distinguished from
cast gearing, and which is much more true, runs with much less friction,
and will last much longer than the cast gearing.

page_text: It further consists in the construction and use of a reel and rake so
arranged that the operation of the latter can be arrested without
arresting or interfering with the motion of the reel or gathering arms.
It further consists in the mode of connecting the reel blades with the
arms and rake shaft to which they are attached so as to allow said i
blades and rake shaft to be adjusted in two directions.
It further consists in the use of rakes so arranged for adjustment on
the blades or beaters that their teeth may be withdrawn behind the
edges of the blades after the latter have passed above or beyond the
cutter bar for the prompt discharge of the grain from the rakes, and
delivery upon the platform or upon a dropper or upon the ground, as
may be preferred.
To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my Invention, I
will now proceed more fully to describe the same.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 represents a plan of the top of the said machine, with the
cover of the cast-iron box or case which contains the gearing removed
to show the arrangement of the gearing within it, the said box or case
serving as the main frame of the machine, and also showing in red lincs
how a raking mechanism may be attached and driven and used in
connection therewith. Figure 2 represents a sectional elevation of the
said machine, the section being taken at the line x, x, Figure 1.
Figures 3 and 4 represent sectional elevations of the rake and beaters,
and portions of the gearing by which they are operated.
Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8 represent details of the rake mechanism, which
will be more particularly referred to hereafter.
Figures 9, 10, and 11 represent respectively elevations and a top plan
of a modified form of rake and beater that may be used in connection
with the said machine.
Similar letters of reference where they occur in the separate Figures
denote like parts in all of the Drawings.
A, A, represent a pair of independent driving and supporting wheels
arranged upon the main axle B in the usual way of arranging and
connecting such wheels and axle in harvesting machines. Upon this
axle B there is supported by journal boxes or bearings a, a, a box
frame C of cast iron wide. enough and long enough to contain all the

page_text: cogged wheels and their shafts, and which box or frame when its cover D
is put on completely encases all of said wheels, shafts, and bearings,
affording easy access to them for oiling or cleaning, and entire protection
from injury of any kind. The cast-iron box frame protects the gearing
and shafting and also affords journal bearings to parts which may be
interchangeable, so that with duplicate pieces the user need never have
his machine disabled for any length of time, every piece being so cut
or made as to readily fit its proper position, and the gear wheels being
cut are always true and work with their fellows without strain. Upon
the axle B and within the box frame C and between the bearings a, a,
outside of which latter the driving and supporting wheels are placed
and work is hung the main internal gear wheel E, in which a pinion F
on a shaft supported in bearings b, b, runs. Said internal gear wheel
and its pinion so placed and encased are entirely protected from injury,
inasmuch as there is no liability of anything dropping into them, which
from their nature and difference in construction from other gearing
cannot readily drop out again. This internal gear wheel E, as shown by
the dotted lines thercon at 16, has an open space or clearance between
the inner ends of its cogs or teeth and its web or closed end, which not
only admits of cutting the cogs or teeth clear through and thus truc
and perfect, but acts for a clearance to anything which may get into and
work back between said cogs. On the shaft of the pinion F there is a
bevil wheel G that works into and turns a bevil pinion H on a shaft c
that is supported in the bearings d, d, and upon this shaft c there is a
second internal gear wheel I made with a space or clearance between
the inner ends of its cog and the web or closed end, similar to that in
the internal wheel E above described and for a similar purpose. This
internal wheel I turns a pinion e on the crank shaft J that extends from
the front or near the front of the box frame, passing underneath the
main axle B, and in a recess formed or cast in the box frame for that
purpose, as seen at 17, Figure 2; it extends to and through the rear of
the frame, and has upon it outside of the frame at its rear end the crank
wheel K that gives motion to the cutters. The journal bearings of the
crank shaft J, are at f, f, and quite remote from each other, which
enables it not only to withstand better the strain of the crank in driving
the cutters, but also to admit of considerable wear in its boxes or
bearings without injuriously affecting the working of the pinion end
of the shaft with its driving gear. The cogged wheels are all cut, which
gives them a degree of accuracy impossible to be given or found in cast

page_text: gearing. And as the principal resistance in a harvesting machine is
due to the friction of its gearing from the inaccuracy of teeth and their
spacings, and the yielding of the shafting, and consequent cutting of
the gears by the warping or want of rigidity in the main frame, I avoid
by my construction all these troubles and difficulties, as my wheels are
in the first place made perfectly or practically true. The bearings of
the shafts are in a rigid unyielding cast-iron frame in one piece and
cannot twist or warp, and thus I get true working toothed wheels
without undue friction, a thing never to my knowledge attempted in a
harvesting machine prior to my Invention of it. The shafting and
gearing being thus accurately made and fitted, and then protected in a
tight box or case where neither stones or any other hard substances
can drop into them or dirt or grit enter, they may be run for many
years without injurious wear, and the parts being machine made and
duplicates of each other exactly may be replaced by others when
necessary to do so, the fittings all being made previously and with the
greatest accuracy. The cover D has lugs g at its forward end that fit
into and under the flange of the box frame C, and by means of a
turning button h at its rear end is securely fixed and held in place,
whilst it may at any time be readily removed for gaining access to the
interior for oiling, cleaning, or repairs. All the journal boxes or their
caps as well as the shafts and gearing are capable of removal or re-
placement from the top of the box frame. The use of what I denominate
triple gearing, or three pairs of wheels, viz., two internal wheels E, I, and
their pinions F, e, and an intermediate bevel wheel G and its pinion H,
enables me to attain the proper speed and power with comparatively
small wheels, and the use of small wheels enables me to encase them in
a box of comparatively small size and light and strong enough to
contain them without being unsightly. The recess in the bottom of
the frame or case for the crank shaft to lie and work in gives a sort of
corrugated form to the bottom of the box, which makes it stronger, and
which form also admits of the shrinking or contracting of the cast
metal without fracture or crack, which it could not do if perfectly flat.
The finger bar L with its cutters i, guards j, and outside divider or
shoe M applied is hinged to the drag bar N at k, so that the points of
the fingers may rise and fall, their upward motion being limited by a
tongue piece passing under a bolt m arranged in one of the series of
holes in the lugs o. The drag bar N extends forward and upward,
and its forward end has a journal p upon it, which passes through an

page_text: opening 9 made in the end of a projecting crane or arm O which is
secured to the main frame or box frame, said opening 9 being larger at
its ends than at its central portion, so as to admit of the rising and falling
of the drag bar, as well as a longitudinal motion of it, without binding
or cramping in said opening, whilst its contracted portion prevents any
lost or shackling motion of the journal and drag bar, said journal being
untrammeled in its opening except as to its shackle motion. The
finger bar L is hinged to the rear under part of the box frame C, as
at r, by an intermediate coupling arm or crane P, which extending
from said hinge joint downward and outward towards the end of the
finger bar is connected to the portion thereof by an open hooks on
its extreme end hooking into an eye t on said portion and a brace Q
connected to said hinged arm or crane P, and extending obliquely
forwards and upwards is pivoted at u to the under side of the box frame
which gives strength and position to the said coupling arm or crane.
The connecting rod R is attached to the wrist of the crank wheel K
by one of its ends, the other end thereof being secured in a lug to on
the sickle bar so as to reciprocate the cutters. A lever S is pivoted to
the main frame at y, its long arm extending upward, so as to be in
convenient position for the operator in his seat T to catch and handle.
To the short bent end z of this lever is hitched a chain 1, which passes
rearward and over a pulley wheel 2, then descends and is fastened at 3
to the brace Q, so that by means of the said lever S the finger bar and
cutting apparatus may be raised and held up or let down at pleasure.
When the lever S is thrown clear forward to raise the cutting apparatus
it will remain there without any fastening, as the point of connection of
the chain to the lever passes by the pivoted point, and the weight comes
through the pivot and is thus held in that position. A link rod U is
connected to the rear of the main frame at a point 4, and a screw 5 is
cut upon its further end, which end is passed through a hole 6 in the
finger bar L, when the latter is raised or swung up far enough, and the
nut 7 is run upon the protruding end of the screw; the cutter and finger
bar are held and carried in this raised position. A rest or support 8 is
attached, which will catch and hold the pitman R should it be for any
purpose or by accident become detached, and a shield 9 is placed under
the crank wheel to prevent it from catching or winding up the straw
or grass. On top of the main frame and at the sides thereof so as
not to interfere with the removal or replacement of the cover or the
gaining of easy access to the enclosed gearing. there are elevated rails

page_text: or supports V, upon which the driver's or operator's seat T is placed,
said seat supports or irons being let into or inserted in sockets 18 cast
in, in, on, or with the box frame or metallic case or cover. The seat
may be moved forward or backward on its supports so that the weight of
the driver may be utilized in better balancing the machine upon the
main axle. The draft pole W is set in a recess formed or cast in the
same piece that constitutes the arm or crane O, and is upon the
front grain side corner of the main frame. Upon this piece or part o
may also be arranged a cup or receptacle 10 for holding the oil can 11.
The tool chest X is placed on the inside of the box frame C, where the
tools are completely secured against being jarred out or lost. A
clutch 12 is arranged in connection with the pinion F, and this clutch
when not locked out of action is held in by a spring 13; but when the
pinion is to be unclutched so as to stop the wheels and cutter a pivotted
latch 14 is let down to lock it out of action. The raising of the bolt
and the operating of the clutch lever 15 can be effected by the driver
in his seat, the lever projecting through a slot in the cover D for that
purpose. When the lever is drawn back to unclutch the pinion F, the
latch 14 finds its own keeper and needs no manipulation. To clutch
the pinion the latch is raised from its keeper, and the spring 13 moves
the clutch and pinion into action with the internal gear wheel E, and
the parts are again in motion. The driving wheels A are so arranged
with spring pawls and ratchets that they turn with the axle when the
machine is moving forward, but are independant of or loose on the said
axle when the machine is backed or is being turned around in the usual
well known manner.
The red lines in Figure 1 show the manner of applying an automatic
rake and reel to this machine, wherein Z' represents a quadrant-shaped
platform or grain table, over which the rake and reel or beater arms J' are
caused to revolve and rise and fall in so doing or move in an inclined
plane by means of a bent post or journal O and a gear wheel F¹ that is
driven by power transmitted from the main axle or driving wheel of the
machine, as will be more particularly stated in connection with the
Figures 3 to 11 inclusive, as follows:-On a suitable foundation or bed
plate W is secured a box or bearings for the shaft P" of a bevil
pinion P' driven by a chain belt or otherwise, and by power transmitted
from the main axle, main driving wheel, or any other suitable moving
part of the machine. This pinion P¹ meshes into and imparts motion to

page_text: a bevelled cog wheel O', which is provided with a collar or sleeve forming
a hollow shaft D', on the upper end of which is a bevelled pinion E'.
These jointly revolve on a central fixed shaft Q', which is bent at an
angle of, say, forty-five degrees, more or less, above said pinion E' for
the reception of a bevel pinion F meshing with the pinion E¹ in an
inclined position. The pinion F¹ is also provided with arms G', to which
are connected the beaters or blades J. A washer and pin secure the
pinion F to the shaft, and in the upper face of the horizontal wheel O'
are three or more slots or grooves S¹ (Figure 7) for a purpose to be
hercafter described. A disk A' having a hub through which passes the
cylindrical sleeve D' rests upon the wheel O', and to a pin a¹ passing
through lugs on the disk is hung a clutch B', which can drop into any
one of the slots S¹ of the cogged wheel O', and thus cause the disk A' to
revolve in unison with the wheel. To the disk A' is also jointed an
arm H', to which is connected a rake I'. In a bracket at one side of
the wheel O' slides a rod N³, which is maintained at the limit of its
outward motion by a spring t, and is so connected to a suitable foot
lever that it can be moved toward the wheel when desired, so that as
the wheel in its rotation brings the clutch B' against the inner end of
the rod N the clutch will be raised out of the groove or slot S¹ in the
top of the wheel O', the motion of the disk A' with its rake attachment
being thus arrested, while the reel continues its motion as before. On
drawing back the lever the clutch B' drops down into the next slot St
brought beneath it, and locks the disk again to the wheel O¹, when the
action of the rake is again resumed. To obtain a rising and falling
motion of the rake in its rotation an annular cam K' is employed, which
consists of two inclined and two horizontal portions, each of the inclined
portions occupying about sixty degrees of the circle, leaving one hundred
and twenty degrees in the planes on opposite sides, but one clevated
above the other. The rake arm H has a circular head I" provided with
two cogs or teeth i, . The operation of the cam upon the rake arm is
such that as the latter passes over the lower plane the rake I' is carried
from the cutter bar to the rear of the platform a little above the latter in
the ordinary manner. As the rake arm is brought to the point where
the cam rises upward (forming an inner inclined track for the upper
tooth ) it is elevated, thereby bringing the rake to a vertical position,
and thus elevated it traverses the upper plane past the driver on the
machine (the tooth or cog i¹ bearing on the adjacent inclined plane),
after which as the tooth is brought on the inclined part the rake

page_text: descends to a horizontal position and operates as before. To allow for
the adjustment of the rake and reel arms a connecting plate Q" is
introduced, in which are formed one straight and one curved slot e¹
and e" (Figure 6), and which is fastened by a screw bolt, so that the
attached shaft or blade may be raised at the heel or lowered, and also be
inclined more or loss on the end of the pivot bolt, and thus be adjusted
to the platform of the reaper. Although the reel revolves upon the
same shaft as the rake one does not interfere with the motion of the
other, and none of the parts or movements are in the way of or interfere
with the driver in his sent. The grain is gathered in a superior and
compact manner, while the driver can arrest the action of the rake at
pleasure, so that where the grain is thin he can stop the delivery until a
full sized gavel is gathered, and thus make the gavels or bundles of
uniform size however the grain may stand in the field, the only motion
necessary to suspend the raking action being the inward moving of the
spring rod N¹.
In Figures 9, 10, and 11 is shown another arrangement of rakes and
beaters, which may with equal facility and with probably greater.
economy be applied to the harvesting machine, its construction and
operation being substantially as follows:-A" is a vertical standard or
bar which is secured to the frame of the harvesting machine, and which
is bent at the upper end, as above described, towards the side of the
machine from which the cutter bar projects or extends. On the upper
inclined end of the standard A" turns a disk B", from which project at
an angle, as shown in the Drawings, three arms O", and to the outer
ends of each of said arms is secured a blade or beater D". The beaters
are so arranged on the arms C" and at such an angle that as the disk B"
revolves in the direction of the arrow (Figure 9) each blade will be
carried over the cutter bar parallel to and nearly in contact with said
bar. At the side of each blade is a rake bar Fu, which is secured to the
blade near its outer end only, and is reduced in thickness near this end,
so that it can be bent back a short distance from the outer edge of the
blade, and thus withdraw the teeth from beyond the said edge, the bar,
owing to the elasticity of the reduced portion, resuming a position
parallel to the edge of the blade when all pressure is removed. To the
upper end of the standard A" which projects beyond the hub of the
disk B is secured an adjustable plate a", and ncar one side of the latter
is a pin i", which is eccentric to the axis of the disk B", on which turns

page_text: a triangular plate e To each arm of the plate e is connected a cord
or wire c", the opposite end of which is secured to the inner end of one
of the rakes. Owing to the eccentricity of the pin i" and the axis of
the disk B" the rakes and blades during their rotation will be carried in
a circle, the centre of which does not coincide with the pin i". The
wires c" which are secured to the said pin through the medium of the
plate will therefore be slack during a portion of each revolution, and
will then become taut during another portion of the rotation, and draw
back the rakes to which they are attached. The pin " is so arranged by
adjusting the plate a" that the rakes shall be drawn back immediately
after they have passed over the cutter bar, the grain held by the rake
falling upon the platform as the teeth of the rake are withdrawn behind
the edge of the blade or beater. It will be seen that by the means
above described the rakes are prevented from retaining the grain any
longer than is absolutely necessary to convey it to the cutters, and that
by adjusting the pin the discharge of the grain may be effected at
any desired point of the rotation of the rakes. Instead of reducing the
rake bar in thickness in order to render it elastic, as described, it may
be jointed by a bolt to the outer end of the blade, a spring bearing on
the bar so as to move it outwards as the cord c" is slackened.
Having thus fully described the said Invention, as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent, and shown how the same may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice, I claim,—
First. In connection with a harvesting machine a rectangular or
nearly rectangular cast-iron box main frame for containing the cogged
wheels, their shafts, and bearings, and protected by a cover which forms
a part of the box, and which is hinged thereto or otherwise so as to be
removed and replaced when oiling, cleaning, or repairing within the box
or case becomes necessary, substantially as described.
Also the open hook hinge for connecting- the finger bar to the inter-
mediate or coupling arm or bar, so as. to allow the former to rock or roll
at a right angle to the line of its length without binding or cramping
the connected parts, substantially as described.
Also hanging the drag bar to two arms or cranes, so that in raising
the cutter and finger bars the drag bar may have a rotary or turning
motion without being bound or held by its supports, substantially, as
described.

page_text: Also the combination of two independent driving and supporting
wheels and one internal main gear wheel on one and the same axle
when so arranged thereon that the internal gear wheel will revolve
between and the supporting wheels outside of the boxes or bearings a, a,
substantially as described.
Also the combination of the three pairs of toothed wheels for giving
motion to the cutters, consisting of two internal gear wheels and their
pinions, and an intermediate bevel wheel and its pinions, substantially as
described.
Also in combination with gearing arranged as above stated the
crank shaft placed below and crossing the main axle, substantially as
described.
Also in combination with the crank shaft a recess in the bottom of the
case or box for receiving the said crank shaft, substantially as and for
the purpose described.
Also in combination with the seat-irons the sockets cast on the case
cover or box for containing the said irons, substantially as described.
Also the combination of the tongue socket and arm or crane for
receiving the front end of the drag bar when cast in one piece and
combined with a metallic case, substantially as described.
Also in combination with the internal gear wheels an open space or
clearance between the inner ends of the cogs or teeth and the web or
centre of the wheel, substantially as described..
Also the use of cut or engine made gearing as contradistinguished
from cast gearing for driving harvesting machines, substantially as and
for the purposes described.
Also the construction and use of a reel and rake so arranged that the
operation of the latter can be arrested without arresting or interfering
with the motion of the reel or gathering arms, substantially as described.
Also the mode of connecting the reel blades with the arms and rake
shaft to which they are attached, so as to allow the said blades and
rake shaft to be adjusted in two directions, substantially as described.
Also the use of rakes so arranged for adjustment on the blades or
beaters that their teeth may be withdrawn behind the edges of the
blades after the latter have passed above or beyond the cutter bar for
the prompt discharge of the grain from the rakes and delivery upon the

page_text: platform or upon a dropper, or upon the ground, as the case may be,
and substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-sixth day of March, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE. (L.S.)
Witness,
JAMES TEARE.