Year: 1888

page_text: We, ABRAM WRIGHT STEVENS and LE ROY WRIGHT STEVENS, 1oth of Auburn,
in the County of Cayuga and State of New York, one of the United States of
America, Gentlemen, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement:—
Our invention relates to an improved construction of harrows and harrow-frames
whereby a certain degree of elasticity is given to the frames in the plane thereof, it
also provides clearance spaces to prevent clogging and, when used in connection with
spring teeth, provides guards in advance of the teeth which serve to protect the same
from injurious contact with heavy obstructions or those embedded in the soil.
Our invention further provides improved means for holding the spring teeth of
harrows.
It also provides a construction whereby the levelling effect of the ordinary harrow
is secured without danger of clogging, and gives the frame greater rigidity to resist
vertical strains and provides a wearing surface for the bars of the frame.
In the drawings
Figure 1 is a perspective view of one form of harrow with certain of our improve-
ments embodied therein.
Figures 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 are cross sections of different forms of bars
which we employ providing a projecting wearing surface on the underside of the same.
Figures 11, 12, 13 and 16 show different forms of cross bars.
Figures 14, 15, 17, 18 and 20 show different forms of tooth holding clips.
Figure 19 is a view of the drawing ear employed by us.
Figure 21 is a partial perspective view of a modified form of harrow.
Figure 22 is an enlarged perspective view of the construction at the intersection of
he draft and cross bars employed in this modification.
Figure 23 is a perspective of a portion of one of the bars of the frame in the
nodified construction.
.
Figures 24 and 26 are side views of the post and clip.

page_text: in Figure 25.
Figure 27 is a top view, and
Figure 28 is a side view of a different form of post and clip.
Figures 29 and 30 show other forms of cross or draft hars."
Figures 31, 32 and 33 show attaching devices by which our improved method of
guarding the teeth may be applied to straight frame harrows.
In the construction shown in the drawings the harrow-frame is composed of bars
preferably of iron or steel which intersect each other at certain points and are rigidly
connected to each other at such points of intersection.
These bars are provided at certain portions of their length with depressed portions
to which the teeth of the harrow are preferably connected.
In the drawings the harrow is shown as composed of two frames hinged together,
but we do not limit ourselves to this construction as our improvements may be applied
to other forms of frames.
Each of the frames shewn in the drawings is composed of a series of bars A, A¹,
termed the draft bars, and the series of bars B adjustably intersecting the first named
bars, which are denominated cross bars. In figure 1 these bars are shewn as being
depressed at the points of intersection and the teeth are attached to the depressed
portions of the bars. The form of the bars between the points of depression is
immaterial, several forms being shewn in the drawings, particularly in Figures 11, 13, 29
and 30.
The cross bars need not have the same form between the points of depression, as the
draft bars. We prefer to give the cross bars the form shewn in figure 12 where the
space beneath the same is made to increase from the front to rear for the purpose of
providing additional clearance space as the harrow is drawn forward. This form may
be also given to the draft bars, but we preferably give the draft bars one of the other
forms shewn.
It will be seen that the spaces between the depressed portions of the bars form
clearance passages through which sods, earth or stones on the surface of the ground
will pass freely and the accumulation of such materials beneath the same, or the
clogging of the harrow, is almost entirely prevented. It will also be seen that the
depressed portions of the frame form guards for the teeth and come in contact with
loose materials before the teeth and tend to throw them to one side, and in case of
immovable obstructions, they first come in contact with them and tend to throw the
teeth and harrow to one side or to raise the same over the obstacle thereby lessening
or avoiding the strain upon the teeth.
The guards for the teeth extend upwardly and outwardly from the seat of the teeth,
and, being made of bars, will permit fine dirt or soil to pass through them above the
seats for the teeth. The construction of the frame also gives it great strength to resist
upward deflection of its parts, but gives it elasticity in the plane of the frame
which serves to relieve the teeth from strain when brought in contact with immovable
obstructions.
We have shewn, and design in most cases to have the teeth attached to the
lowest parts of the frame. We do not desire however to be limited to teeth so attached
as we may attach them to other points of the frame and secure advantageous results
over the old constructions.
In figures 31, 32 and 33 we have shewn spring harrow teeth provided with
attaching means whereby our invention. may be cheaply applied to ordinary forms of
harrow frames of straight intersecting draft and cross bars or in other ways. In the
first of these figures the tooth C is provided with attaching ineans, which is the full
equivalent of the deflected portion of the harrow frame shewn in Figure 1. This
attaching means consists of two short bars 6', 6' the said bars extending upwardly and
outwardly from their point of intersection which is the point at which the two are
connected and which forms the seat of the tooth. The outer ends of the two arms
or bars are each provided with means for connecting it to a harrow frame such as an
aperture or other means. In Figure 32 the construction is much the same except that

page_text: one of the bars is double the length of the other and is connected to the other at the
centre forming three arms and in Figure 33 the two bars are double the length of
those in Figure 31 forming four arms, the end of each of which is provided with
means for attachment. The first of these three forms possesses great elasticity and
may be employed where an unusual amount of yield for the teeth is desired. It can
be used for the outer teeth where the other forms are used for the inner teeth of the
barrow. While these forms are more especially designed for attaching spring teeth to
old forms of harrow frames they may be employed with a frame constructed
substantially as herein shown and described.
The guard constructions we prefer to so construct as to leave openings for the
passage of fine or loose dirt between them thus relieving unnecessary strain which
would be added if such guard were of a cone shaped body and with little or no space
between the guards; yot with this latter the object of protecting the free end
of the tooth from catching fast to or receiving the blow of obstructions would be
accomplished.
It will be seen that in case the tooth guards strike an immovable obstruction
there will also be a lateral yielding of the frame to permit it to pass to one side of the
same, and in case the engagement with the obstruction is such that no lateral yielding
of the frame will be possible there will be a yielding of the frame in line with the
draft. In case a tooth comes in contact with an obstruction there will be a like yielding
of the frame relieving the tooth from strain.
The portion of our invention which relates to giving the frame greater rigidity to
resist vertical strain and to provide wearing surfaces for the frame is best illustrated
in Figures 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 16, 22, 23 and 25.
Various forms have been employed in harrows to secure some of the results effected
by our construction, among which are angle-iron and U-shaped bars; but in each
instance no protection was afforded the heads of the attaching-bolts or other attaching
means except by locating the angle-iron so that a sharp straight edge was presented
to the ground.
In our construction we provide the bars with a longitudinal rib or ribs which are
on the under side of the bar when in position in the harrow and constitutes a runner
or wearing surface projecting far enough to protect the heads of the attaching bolts
or other attaching means whether placed on either side of the rib or ribs or in a
depression in the rib. We prefer to place them in rear of the rib.
Figures 2 to 7 show forms of bars in which the rib or wearing surface is produced
by corrugating the bar, forming one or more grooves a longitudinally of the bar.
It will be observed that in figures 4, 5, 6, 7 and 10 the front edge of the bar is given
an upward turn to enable it to ride more easily over the ground or other materials
with which it comes in contact, as well as securing additional rigidity to the bar. In
figures 6, 7 and 10 the rear edge of the bar is also provided with the upturned edge.
In figures 11, 12, 13 and 16 we have shewn cross-bars with elevated or arched
portions forming clearance spaces between the draft_bars. Where the draft bars
have a longitudinal channel upon their upper surfaces the cross-bars at their points of
intersection with them may be provided with a rib or lug to fit the same in order to
secure the close contact of the bars.
While the cross bars may be made of cast metal it is not the preferred form. Such
a bar is shewn in Figure 16 and has the holding clips and the eyelets for the hinge-
connection with the other part of the frame cast integrally therewith. It is not
necessary that the cross-bars should be ribbed in the same manner as the draft bars,
but it is the preferred construction as greater rigidity will be secured with the same
weight of metal.
The clip for holding the teeth of the harrow is of the general form shewn in
figures 14, 15 and 16. It has two vertically disposed flanges or walls e, e joined
together by the intervening base-connection d. The side walls or flanges are prefer-
ably grooved as shewn in figure 15 or provided with projections as shewn in figure 17
to receive the edges of the tooth. These flanges or side walls are so constructed as

page_text: to provide spread-apart or widened portions and are joined together at these points
by an adjustable connection. By this feature of construction the flanges or side
walls are made to yield slightly before being brought into contact with the edges of
the tooth, and the material of the clip being elastic, rather than compressible, there
is a constant pressure against the nut which serves to hold it firmly in place and
prevent its becoming loose.
The form of the clip shewn in figures 14, 15 and 17 is attached to the frame by a
suitable connection through the base-connection and the draft and cross-bars. These
connections serve to secure the clip in place. These connecting devices pass through
the draft bars on one or both sides of the rib, preferably in the rear of the same, or
through a raised portion of the bar, and are thereby protected from wear.
the draft or cross bars on which the clips are seated are provided with one or more
grooves a the base plate of the clip is preferably provided with one or more
projecting ribs or lugs a¹ fitting such grooves.
In case
These forms of clips are also preferably provided with the front wall fextending
upward from the base plate to the tooth to prevent the lodgment of small stones and
dirt in the clip beneath the tooth.
In figure 18 we have shown a clip made in two parts e², e³ each provided with a
construction as before described to engage the edges of the tooth. The forward
end of the part e² is provided with the inwardly extending flange i the inner edge of
which has two projections 3, 3. These are notched to engage the edges of a cross
bar and are far enough apart to engage the opposite edges of a draft bar. The
part has a corresponding outwardly extending flange which is provided with
two projections corresponding to the projections and to engage the opposite side
of a cross bar and also engage the sides of the intersecting draft bar.
The parts are placed in position, the tooth inserted and the nut of a connecting
bolt passing through both parts turned up and the tooth and clip secured in place.
This form of clip also has the construction to prevent the loosening of the nut on
the bolt and the latter is in this instance, for obvious reasons, placed below the
tooth. This form of clip may be provided with the projections, ribs or lugs a¹
fitting the grooves of the draft or cross-bars.
In Figure 20 we have shewn a modification of the tooth clip. Instead of making
the walls curving in the centre, we make the walls c, c¹ of the clip straight, but
make the groove engaging the edges of the tooth deeper in the centre as shewn at d,
and employ a central connecting bolt. We may however make the groove of a
reverse form, deepest at the ends and employ two connecting bolts, one at each end,
and yet get the same result. In these constructions the walls will yield before the
tooth will be firmly grasped along the whole extent of the side walls and the constant
pressure upon the nut or nuts of the connecting bolts serve to keep them from
becoming loose.
The drawing ears, one of which is shewn in Figure 19, are attached in the usual
manner, except that when the upper surfaces of the draft bars are grooved or
channelled these ears may be provided with lugs b to fit the said channels.
In the form of the harrow here shown the draft bars are straight and are provided
with wearing surfaces, while the cross bars are arched and carried out of contact
with the ground. The inclination of the draft bars to the line of the draft tonds to
discharge loose material at the sides of the harrow, and the cross bars being
arched do not prevent this, as in most constructions, and a very satisfactory clearance
of the harrow is secured. This is best effected by the form shewn in Figure 12
where the elevation of the cross-bars is greatest near the rear draft bar. The cross-
bars not coming in contact with the ground do not require wearing surfaces, but the
corrugation of the same is desirable to give an increased rigidity. The front draft
bars A, A are straight throughout the operative portions of their length, while the
bars A, A, are provided between the cross-bars with arched or upwardly deflected
portions, and the cross-bars B, B are also provided with arched or deflected portions
between the draft bars,

page_text: Instead of making one of the draft bars of a harrow with a row of teeth attached
thereto, a levelling bar, we may make the tooth supporting part of the frame entirely
of arclied bars and provide a levelling bar without teeth in front of this main
body of the frame. The levelling bars may be made of flat bars or provided with a
curved wearing surface as may be preferred.
In operating a harrow it is well understood that there is little or no liability of
clogging taking place before the front bar, and by providing clearance spaces in the
rear thereof we are able to construct a harrow which will not clog and which will yet
have the desired effect in levelling the ground.
In the modification shewn in Figures 21 to 28 inclusive the cross and draft bars
are curved in form with the convex side downward so as to pass or ride more easily
over the ground or the objects with which they may come in contact. The central
portion of each bar is made capable of sustaining greater wear than its edges by
making the bar in crescent form as shewn in Figures 22 and 26 or by making the bar
of uniform thickness and the centre y harder or of increased density so as to make it
less friable by making the centre of steel, as shewn in figure 23, by giving it a steel
or other hard wearing surface as shewn in figure 25, or by giving the metal along
the centre greater compression in rolling the bar, or by constructing it in some other
manner so that it will be capable of sustaining a greater amount of wear with less
loss of material.
The draft bars A, A' have depressed portions at the points at which the cross-bars
cross them and a construction is employed which secures the bars at such points but
holds them out of contact with each other. The teeth Care attached together to the
frame above such depressed portions and above the device connecting the bars;
preferably by means of a combined post and tooth clip D. This post may be made
in a single piece, as shewn in figure 24, or it may be made of two or more parts
united. One form of the latter is shown in figure 28. The base of the post is
provided with flanges d', d¹ having convex lower faces fitting the concavity of the
upper faces of the draft bars. The post is attached to the bars by rivets or bolts
passing through these flanges or in any other preferred manner.
At a proper
distance above the base the post is provided with a curved seat d³ to receive a cross
bar which is rigidly secured in such seat. Above the cross-bar seat the post is provided
with a tooth clip which consists of two vertically disposed walls d³, d provided with
guides to receive the edges of the tooth C which is firmly clamped in position by the
bolt d-The tooth being connected in this manner independent of the connection of
the bars to the post, the bolt can be loosened and the tooth adjusted longitudinally
without loosening the connection of the bars or affecting their attachment to the post
in any way.
The front of the post is provided with a web e to prevent the lodgment of stones
and dirt within the post. In the form shown in figure 28 the post is made of two
pieces. The curved seat d² is attached to one of the said pieces and extends nearly
or quite to the other part of the post, and the web is made in two parts, meeting
near the centre of the post. The web might, however, be made integral and
connected only to one of the parts of the post.
It will be seen that the seat for the cross-bar is placed at such a height above
the base of the post that such bars are on a level with the most of the draft bars.
This gives effective clearance for stones and other loose material to pass through the
harrow without clogging. It will also be noticed that by employing the post provided
with a clip at its upper end, the tooth clip and the base portion of the tooth are
raised to a position in which they are almost entirely freed from contact with the
soil. This we deem one of the great advantages of this feature of our invention, as
the soil is almost always moist, and if it is allowed to remain in contact with the
clip and base of the spring more or less rusting or corrosion of the parts takes place
and the parts are injured thereby.
The depressed portion of the draft-bars form guards for the teeth and protect them
from injurious contact with heavy stones or immovable obstacles in the ground, the
same as in our other construction. While we prefer to have the cross bars B B in

page_text: about the same plane as the elevated portions of the draft bars, this is not essential, as
they may be above or below such plane and good results obtained thereby. It will
be noticed that in this construction whether the elevated portions of the draft bars
are in the plane of the cross bars or not, the posts perform effective service as guards
for the depending portion of the teeth and prevent loose stones and other obstacles
from coming in contact with the same.
By reason of the elevated seat for the spring teeth and the guards extending below
the same we are able to employ a tooth having an increased length between the tip
and the highest point of the curve of the same, thereby securing greater elasticity.
The post construction also protects the forwardly curving portion of the tooth by
raising the same so far above the surface of the ground that the obstacles encountered
come in contact with the post instead and rarely or never in contact with this portion
of the tooth.
The crescent-shaped bars may be made with the central hard metal wearing surface,
when desired.
We do not desire to limit ourselves to the exact construction shown, as the parts
may be greatly varied without departing from the spirit of our invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is :-
1. In a harrow, the combination of draft bars with cross bars intersecting
each other, the said bars having at certain points of their length portions depressed
below the level of the main portions thereof, substantially as described.
2. A harrow having draft and cross bars intersecting each other, the said bars
having portions depressed below their main portions, and harrow teeth attached to the
said bars, substantially as described.
3. In a harrow, the combination with draft bars and cross bars intersecting
each other and having portious at the points of intersection depressed below the main
portions of the bars, the elevated portions of the said cross bars being inclined
upwardly from front to rear between the said depressed portions, substantially as
described.
4. A harrow having teeth guards extending upwardly and outwardly from the seat
for the teeth, substantially as described.
5. A spring tooth harrow provided with a frame consisting of intersecting draft
and cross bars elastic in all directions in the plane of the frame, whereby the spring
teeth are relieved from excessive strain, substantially as described.
6. A spring tooth harrow, provided with a frame having intersecting draft and
cross bars rigidly connected at the points of intersection, the said draft bars having
adjacent to the teeth bracing portions deflected out of the horizontal plane of the frame,
substantially as described.
7. A spring tooth harrow provided with a frame having intersecting draft and cross
bars, the said draft and cross bars having adjacent to the teeth, portions deflected out
of a horizontal plane, substantially as described.
8. In a spring tooth harrow, the combination with intersecting draft and cross bars
rigidly connected, of spring teeth connected therewith, the said bars being provided
adjacent to the teeth with portions deflected out of the horizontal plane of the frame,
substantially as described.
9. In a spring tooth harrow, the combination with intersecting draft and cross bars
rigidly connected at the points of intersection, of spring teeth connected to the said
bars at the points of intersection, of spring teeth connected to the said bars at the points
of intersection, the said bars being provided adjacent to the said teeth with portions
deflected from a horizontal plane, substantially as described.
10. In a spring tooth barrow, the combination with intersecting draft and cross bars,

page_text: of spring teeth connected to the said harrow, the said harrow being also provided with
teeth guards which extend in an upwardly disposed direction from a point adjacent
to the point where the said teeth are connected to the said harrow, substantially as
described.
11. In a spring tooth harrow, the combination with intersecting draft and cross
bars rigidly joined at the point of intersection, of spring teeth connected to the said
harrow at a point adjacent to the intersection of the said bars, the said bars forming
arms or guards which extend outward and upward from a point adjacent to the point
of intersection of the said bars, substantially as described.
12. In a harrow, the combination with intersecting draft and cross bars rigidly
connected at the points of intersection, of spring teeth connected to the frame, the
said teeth extending upwardly and rearwardly from the point of attachment and
having a portion or portions of the same protected by guards or arms extending
outwardly and upwardly from a point adjacent to the seats of the said teeth,
substantially as described.
13. As an article of manufacture, a spring tooth for a harrow and its attaching
devices, consisting of the tooth, a seat for the same, and two or more diverging and
upwardly and outwardly extending attaching arms, substantially as described.
14. A harrow frame consisting of draft bars having substantially horizontal faces
on the underside, and intersecting cross bars, the under faces of the said draft bars
being provided with a longitudinal rib or ribs between their edges forming a wearing
surface or runner surface, substantially as described.
15. A harrow frame consisting of draft bars provided on their under sides with ribs
forining wearing surfaces, and intersecting cross bars arched between the draft bars,
substantially as described.
16. A harrow tooth clip having a rigid single hase portion for attachment to the
harrow frame, and yielding vertically disposed flanges or side walls extending from the
said base portion, and an adjustable connection connecting the said flanges or side
walls, substantially as described.
17. A harrow tooth clip having a rigid base portion with side walls or flanges
rigidly connected therewith, the said base portion rigidly connecting the said
flanges or side walls, one of the said side walls being constructed to yield
laterally, and an adjustable binder connecting the said walls, substantially as
described.
18. A harrow tooth clip having vertically disposed flanges or walls for grasping the
sides of the tooth, the said flanges or walls on their inner sides diverging out of a
direct line, and an adjustable connection extending from one flange or wall to the other,
substantially as described.
19. A harrow tooth clip having vertical flanges grasping the sides of the tooth, the
said sides being farther apart at their centres than at their ends, and a central
attaching bolt, substantially as described.
20. A harrow tooth clip provided with vertically disposed walls or flanges having a
construction to engage the edges of a tooth, and a construction to engage the edges
of a cross bar of the harrow frame, and a bolt connecting the said walls or flanges
and drawing them both upon the edges of the tooth and cross bars, substantially as
described.
21. A harrow tooth clip consisting of two vertically disposed walls or flanges
provided with a construction to engage the edges of a harrow tooth, and lugs to engage
the edges of a cross bar, and an intersecting draft bar, and a connecting bolt drawing
the said walls or flanges upon the edges of the tooth and cross bar, substantially as
described.
22. In a harrow, the combination with a harrow frame consisting of grooved or
channelled draft bars and intersecting - cross bars, of a tooth clip provided

page_text: with a lug or rib fitting the groove of the bar beneath the same, substantially as
described.
23. A harrow frame consisting of grooved or chanelled draft bars and cross bars
provided with lugs or ribs to engage the grooves or channels of the draft bars,
substantially as described.
24. In a spring tooth harrow the combination with intersecting draft and cross bars
rigidly joined at the point of intersection, of spring teeth connected to the said harrow
at a point adjacent to the intersection of the said bars, the said bars forming guards
or arms which extend outward and upward from a point adjacent to the point of inter-
section of the said bars, one or more of the said arms or guards being corrugated or
ribbed, substantially as described.
25. The combination with a harrow frame having channelled draft bars, of drawing
ears provided with ribs or lugs to engage the channels of the draft bars, substantially
as described.
26. The combination with a harrow frame consisting of intersecting draught and
cross bars, the said bars being provided with arched or upwardly deflected portions, of
a levelling bar in front of the said arched or upwardly deflected bars, substantially as
described.
27. A harrow frame composed of intersecting draft and cross bars, the front draft
bar being straight throughout the operative portion of its length and the draft bars
in rear thereof being provided with arched or upwardly deflected portions, substantially
as described.
28. A barrow frame composed of intersecting draft and cross bars, the first or front
bar or bars being straight throughout the operative portion of their length, the draft
bars in the rear thereof and the cross bars being provided with arched or upwardly
deflected portions, substantially as described.
29. A harrow tooth clip having vertically disposed walls grooved to receive the
edges of the tooth, the bottom of the said groove diverging from a straight line, and
an adjustable connection for the said walls, substantially as described.
30. A barrow tooth clip having vertically disposed walls grooved to receive the
edges of the tooth, the bottom of the said groove being bowed outwardly at the centre
of the clip, and a central connecting bolt, substantially as described.
31. A bar for a harrow frame elongated in its horizontal cross section, having a
convex wearing surface, the central portion of the said bar being below the horizontal
plane of its edges and adapted to sustain greater wear than the other portions,
substantially as described.
32. A bar for a harrow frame of crescent shape in cross section, substantially as
described.
33. In a spring tooth harrow, the combination with intersecting draft and cross
bars, of spring teeth connected to the said harrow, the said barrow being also provided
with teeth guards extending downwardly from a point adjacent to the point at which
the said teeth are connected to the harrow, a portion of the said guard lying inter-
mediate the intersecting bars and holding them out of contact with each other,
substantially as described.
34. A harrow consisting of intersecting bars, a supporting connection holding
them separated, and a tooth clip permitting of the longitudinal adjustment of the tooth
in a horizontal direction, the said tooth being located in substantially the vertical plane
of the supporting connection, substantially as described.
35. A harrow frame consisting of draft and cross bars, one of the said bars being
depressed out of the plane of the main portion of the bar at each of the points of
crossing, and a vertical post connecting the said bars at such points and holding them
out of contact with each other, substantially as described.

page_text: 36. A harrow frame consisting of draft bars having downwardly deflected portions,
straight cross bars, and vertical posts secured to the said draft bars at the points of
deflection, substantially as described.
37. In a harrow, a post for connecting and holding the draft and cross bars
out of contact with each other, the said posts at their upper ends having flanges
extending above each side of the bar for engagement therewith, substantially as
described.
38. In a harrow, a post intermediate the draft and cross bars and provided with
seats for attachment to the said bars and a tooth clip permanently connected with the
post and in the vertical plane of the same, substantially as described.
39. In a harrow, a post for connecting draft and cross bars, provided with flanges
extending laterally from each side of the base of the said post for attachment to one
bar, a substantially horizontal seat above the said flanges for attachment to the other
bar, and a tooth clip above the said post and permanently secured thereto, substantially
as described.