AN IMPROVED MACHINE FOR HOEING BETWEEN ROWS OF PLANTS
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edmund Edwards, of the firm of Edwards and Co :-
Patent Agents and Engineers, of 40, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex for an Invention of "AN IMPROVED MACHINE
FOR HOEING BETWEEN ROWS OF PLANTS A communication to him from
abroad by Louis Vict, of Paris, in the Republic of France
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edmund Edwards at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 11th January 1883.
"
EDMUND EDWARDS, of the firm of Edwards and Co:-Patent Agents and
Engineers, of 40, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex "AN IMPROVED MACHINE FOR HOEING BETWEEN ROWS OF PLANTS
[A communication to him from abroad by Louis Viet, of Paris, in the Republic of
France]
This invention has for its object a novel method of constructing a machine
for hoeing the ground between rows of plants, whatever may be the distance
between such rows.
The improved machine consists of two metal or other wheels of suitable size
running loose upon a horizontal shaft or axle the centre of which passes through
a transverse hole in a boss upon the front end of a longitudinal bar which forms
the frame of the machine.
The boss is provided with a screw by which the axle can be fixed in any desired
position.
The two wheels can also be adjusted in any desired position upon the axle and
at any distance apart by means of loose collars fitting upon the axle and provided
with set-screws. A second loose boss is provided which fits upon the longitudinal
bar and can be fixed upon any part of the latter by a set screw, and this second
boss has formed upon or fixed to it a transverse bar upon the ends of which fit two
bosses or blocks provided also with set screws by which they can be fixed in any
position, and each block has through it a vertical hole, preferably square, through
which passes a bar the lower end of which carries a pointed hoeing tool, which

page_text: can therefore be fixed at any desired height or position. The main bar of the
machine also carries a third moveable boss, which can be fixed by a set screw at
any desired point between the other two and is provided with a vertical hole also
preferably square, through which passes a bar the lower end of which is also
provided with a pointed hoeing tool.
This third boss also carries a transverse bar provided with a sufficient number of
grooves round its cylindrical ends, into either of which grooves can fit and turn
bearings at the front ends of two parallel vertical plates, the position of which can
therefore be adjusted by moving the boss more or less backward or forward upon
the main bar so that they retain the earth in whatever position the two outer 1
hoeing tools may be placed.
The distance between the two plates described can be altered when desired, the
bearings at their front ends which fit upon the transverse bar being provided with
internal projecting koys or pins which fit into and are retained in either of the
grooves round the bar, but which can be passed through a longitudinal groove in 1
the collars upon the latter when it is desired to change their position.
The back ends of the plates are connected together by a transverse bar the ends
of which are jointed to attachments bolted to the plates, one of the said attach-
ments being capable of sliding in a horizontal slot at any part of which it can be
fixed by a nut. The guide plates can be raised to any desired height by chains
fixed to their back ends and attached to hooks upon two handles fixed upon the
back of the machine by which the person using it propels it, a cross strap being
preferably fitted between the handles, against which strap the attendant can press
with his weight.
These handles where jointed to the machine may be provided with quadrant
slots and bolts by which their angle may be adjusted as desired.
Tho central hoeing tool may be inverted in its socket when not in use, and the
two plates may be turned completely over out of the way when not required.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Edmund Edwards in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 11th July
1883.
"
EDMUND EDWARDS, of the firm of Edwards and Co-Patent Agents and
Engineers, of 40, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex "AN IMPROVED MACHINE FOR HOEING BETWEEN ROWS OF PLANTS
(A Communication to me from abroad by Louis Viet, of Paris, in the Republic of
France)
This invention has for its object a novel method of constructing a machine for
hoeing the ground between rows of plants, whatever may be the distance between
Buch rows.
In the accompanying drawing, which is in illustration of the invention, Figure 1
is a side view, figure 2 a front view, and figure 3 a plan of the machine. Figure 4
shows the details of the frame, and figure 5 is a plan and side view of the vertical
protecting plates.
The improved machine consists of two metal or other wheels A, A of suitable
size running loose upon a horizontal shaft or axle B, the centre of which passes
through a transverse hole in a boss C upon the front end of a longitudinal bar E
which forms the frame of the machine. The boss is provided with a screw a by
which the axle can be fixed in any desired position.
The two wheels can also be adjusted in any desired position upon the axle and
at any distance apart by means of loose collars fitting upon the axle and provided
with set screws a. A second loose boss is provided which fits upon the longitudinal
bar and can be fixed upon any part of the latter by a set screw, and this second
boss has formed upon or fixed to it a transverse bar C₁ upon the ends of which
fit two bosses or blocks F, F, provided also with set screws by which they can be
fixed in any position, and each block has through it a vertical holo, preferably
square, through which passes a bar the lower end of which carries a pointed hoeing
tool G, which can therefore be fixed at any desired height or position. The main
bar E of the machine also carries a third moveable boss H, which can be fixed by
a set screw at any desired pointed between the other two and is provided with a
vertical hole also preferably square, through which passes a bar the lower end of
which is also provided with a pointed hoĕing tool I.
This third boss also carries a transverse bar provided with a sufficient number
of grooves round its cylindrical ends, into either of which grooves can fit and-turn
bearings at the front ends of two parallel vortical plates K, K, the position of
which can therefore be adjusted by moving the boss more or less backward or
forward upon the main bar so that they retain the earth in whatever position the
two outer hoeing tools may be placed.
The distance between the two plates described may be altered when desired, the
bearings at their front ends b, b, figure 5, which fit upon the transverse bar being
provided with internal projecting keys or pins c", figuro 6, which fit into and aro
retained in either of the grooves round the bar, but which can be passed through
a longitudinal groove in the collars upon the latter when it is desired to change
their position.
The back ends of the plates are connected together by a transverse bar L,
figure 5, the ends of which are jointed to attachments bolted to the plates, one of
the said attachments being capable of sliding in a horizontal slot M at any part of
which it can be fixed by a nut N. The guide plates can be raised to any desired
height by chains S, figure 1, fixed to their back ends and attached to hooks T upon

page_text: two handles O fixed upon the back of the machine by which the person using it
propels it, a cross strap R being preferably fitted between the handles, against which
strap the attendant can press with his weight. These handles where jointed to the
machine may be provided with quadrant slots and bolts P, figure 1, by which their
angle may be adjusted as desired.
The central hoeing tool may be inverted in its socket wen not in use as shown
at 1, figure 1, and the two plates may be turned completely over out of the way
when not required, as shewn at K¹.
Figure 6 shews on a larger scale, the front end 6 of the plates K and the end of
-the axle or bar on which they turn. Figure 7 is an elevation and figure 8 a plan
shewing the method in which the apparatus can be altered and used for earthing-
up. By removing the three weeding hoes and substituting for the front hoo I one
of the tools G, and adding to the machine thus arranged two curved plate or
wings v, v, a small hand machine for earthing-up is obtained the width of which
may be varied by means of the moveable bosses F, F. Moreover by removing the
three hoeing tools, and then moving back the boss and spindle and adding an
adjusting tooth, a device is obtained upon which a seed box or drill can be fixed,
by which any kind of seed can be sown.
I do not confine myself to the precise proportions and details of the several parts
of the apparatus, which may be varied to suit varying circumstances, but having
'described the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed, I claim :-
First, the general method of construction of the hoeing machine, so that it can be
adjusted in every direction according to the character of the work to be done,
substantially as described and shewn in the drawing.
Second, the method of construction and arrangement of the protecting plates and
the bar which carries them substantially as described and shown.
Third, the method of construction and arrangement of the protecting plates, and
the bar which carries thein, substantially as described and shown.
Fourth, the method of arranging and varying as required, the position of the
hoeing implements, substantially as described and shewn.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edmund Edwards, have hereunto set my hand
and seal this 11th day of July in the year of our Lord 1883.
EDMUND EDWADDO