IMPROVE- MENTS IN HARVESTING MACHINES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co.,
Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of " IMPROVE-
MENTS IN HARVESTING MACHINES." A communication from abroad by David
Munson Osborne, of Auburn, New York, United States of America.
aled the 29th December 1877, and dated the 5th July 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Robert Lake at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th July 1877.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN HARVESTING MACHINES."
[A communication from abroad by David Munson Osborne, of Auburn, New York,
United States of America.]
The Invention relates to machines for harvesting grain and similar sown crops,
and binding the same into suitable sized bundles, and discharging the latter in
suitable condition for stocking or stacking.
The said Invention comprises the combination of devices for controlling the
gathering mechanism devices for receiving the severed crop and carrying it to the
driving wheel end of the cutting apparatus, and elevating it above the same, and
discharging it on a receiving platform outside the said wheel.
It also comprises automatic binding mechanism for gathering the bundles or
gavels, passing the wire around the same, twisting the ends together to secure
the bundles, and discharging the completed bundles from the platform.
It also comprises an arrangement of devices by which the driver can in his seat
adjust the binding mechanism, so that the band will surround the bundle at the.
proper point between the butts and heads of the grain to adapt it to the varying
lengths of grain.
It also comprises mechanism for. controlling the action of the binder to adapt
it to the formation of bundles of uniform size when the grain is of varying
stoutness.
It also comprises devices for tilting the cutting apparatus to cause the same to cut
higher or lower as desired, and various details of construction of the several operative
parts of the binder and the gear-shifting mechanism.
'

page_text: :
In the construction of a harvester according to this Invention a framework is
This framework is
provided for supporting the operative parts of the machine.
carried on a main driving wheel, the outer end of the framework being supported
by an adjustable wheel at one end. The main wheel is also rendered adjustable by
having its axle supported in slotted brackets whose radial centre is the pinion shaft
with which the main gear wheel meshes. At the front edge of the framework, and
at one side of the driving wheel, is the cutting apparatus, which consists of the
ordinary slotted fingers and scalloped cutters to which a reciprocating motion is
given by a sway bar connected to the centre of the cutter bar, and projecting rear-
ward across the frame to which it is pivoted near its centre, its rear projecting end
being attached by a connecting rod to a crank that derives its motion from the
driving wheel by a train of gearing.
A reel for gathering the crop is supported in front over the cutters on the pro-
jecting arms of a rock shaft which has a lever and holding devices, whereby the
driver can elevate or depress the reel at pleasure, and fasten and hold it in its
adjusted position. This reel is driven by a sprocket wheel mounted on its shaft,
and connected by a chain to a double sprocket wheel on a frame linked to the reel
bearer, coincident with the centre of the reel axis; it is also linked to the axis of
the main wheel axle, so that the chain connecting a sprocket wheel on the hub of
the main wheel with the double sprocket wheel will impart motion to it and through
it to the chain connected with the sprocket wheel on the reel shaft. The axis of
the links is the axis or centre of the double sprocket wheel, therefore the relation
of the chains and sprocket wheels will not be changed in raising and lowering the
reel:
To carry the cut or severed crop to its receiving platform outside of the main
wheel whilst the cutting apparatus is located on the inside, an endless apron is
provided, its length somewhat exceeding the length of the cutting apparatus, behind
which it is arranged and supported on rollers at each end. These rollers are placed
at right angles to the cutting apparatus, and are supported in suitable bearings. The
Motion is
upper surface of the apron is slightly above the plane of the cutters.
imparted to this apron by a band attached to a pulley on its shaft, the motion of
the upper surface of. the apron being from the outer end of the cutting apparatus
towards the driving wheel.
To elevate and carry the crop over the said driving wheel two endless aprons are
provided and arranged on the frame parallel to each other, and inclining outwards
over the driving wheel, sufficient space being left between them for the upward ·
passage of the crop. These aprons are supported on rollers which have suitable
bearings in an inclined framework. The lower ends of these aprons are so placed
as to receive the crop from the first-named apron, and long enough to carry the crop
over the driving wheel and deliver the same on a platform outside of the wheel, the
platform being supported in nearly a horizontal position. A breast board or breast
piece attached to the frame under the clevated end of the apron serves to protect
'the wheel, and keep the accumulating gavel from being drawn down by the lower
apron. These clevating aprons have light ribs or slats fastened across their surfaces
to assist them to hold and carry up the grain. The contiguous surfaces of the
aprons have a common upward motion, which is imparted to them by gearing
together the shafts of the upper roller; one of these shafts carries a band wheel;
a belt is passed around this wheel and around a band wheel on the shaft of one of
the rollers of the apron behind the cutting apparatus, and also around a pulley on
the crank shaft. The said band wheel shaft is connected with the main driving
wheel by the train of gearing that vibrates the cutters; this gearing consists of the
crank shaft and its pinion, a bevel wheel gearing with it, on whose shaft is a pinion
which gears with a wheel connected with the main wheel; this pinion has a clutch
face,, and interlocks. a pin passed through the end of the bevel wheel shaft, and by
sliding this pinion on the shaft it can be made to lock with or be disconnected from
the same for stopping or starting the connecting gearing and devices.
t To facilitate these operations a shifting lever is arranged within reach of the

page_text: driver, and connected by intermediate devices to a fork which embraces a groove
in the hub of the pinion.
To bind the crop in bundles I provide a frame which is supported in guide pieces
attached to the harvester frame outside of the driving wheel. At one end of this
frame is supported in bearings nearly in a vertical position a shaft, to which is
attached an arm; this extends from the shaft at right angles, and carries at its
outer end the griping, cutting, holding, and twisting mechanisin, for the wire of
which the band is made. These devices are constructed and arranged as follows:-
A double hook with beveled edges is fastened to a shaft a short distance from its
end, and on the end of the same shaft is fastened a similar double hook. The shaft
is inserted in a metal frame or block; this block has fastened to its upper face a
plate with its edges beveled reversely to those of the first-named hook; this hook
revolves in close proximity to the said plate, and with it makes a double shearing
hook for cutting off the wire. A finger is pivoted to the said block or frame by
one of its ends, its other end being beveled and of the proper width to enter between
the two hooks, and rest on the shaft against which it is pressed by a spring, so that
in the reverse movement of the twister shaft it will act as a clearer to remove any
fibres or straws that may accumulate around it in twisting the wire. A pinion is
fastened to the projecting end of the shaft on the side of the said frame or block
opposite to the twister. To the side of this block is fastened a piece of steel to form
an open mortice. This block or frame is bolted to a bracket on the end of the arm
previously described, with the shaft nearly vertical, and the top of the upper hook
far enough below the top of end of arm, which is in form of an open box to give
space for length of wire enongh to form a twist.
Above the twister hook is fastened a double plate or pair of plates with sufficient
space between them for the movement of a griping finger. These plates have a
vertical shaped opening, and a finger is so pivoted to the plate and twister frame
that the projecting end of the finger will swing in between the plates, and across
the V shaped opening, and will clamp or gripe the wire. This finger is operated by
a connecting rod pivoted to it, and its other end to a short arm on the under side
of the arm that carries the twisting devices. In the open mortice at the side of
twister block is inserted a flat slot bolt. The upper edge of the bolt a short distance
from its end has a hook-shaped notch cut in it, and this notch with the mortice in
which it is inserted serve to grip and hold the end of the wire while the needle
herein-after described is conveying the wire around the bundle. The other end of
this flat bolt is rounded, and has a spring for forcing it into the mortice, and holding
it in this position. To release it at the proper time the round end is connected to a
short lever, which has a friction roller on it, and is worked by a cam.
A sector rack is so pivoted to the under side of the twister arm as to gear with
the twister pinion, and a friction roller pivoted to its under side projects into a cam-
shaped groove in a frame fastened to the binder frame, and below the twisted arm
and parallel to the plane in which it oscillates." This groove is of such a form that
in the oscillations of the twister arm it will give a swinging movement to the sector
rack at the proper time, sufficient to allow each hook to seize its separate wire, and
sever and then twist the wires together for fastening them after surrounding the
bundle. To an ear on this cam frame is pivotted a cam piece, against which the
roller on the lever that works the flat holding bolt strikes at the proper time to
open it, and release the end of the wire, and seize the wire brought down by the
needle arm.
Another pivoted arm is so arranged that the roller on the arm that
works the connecting rod of the gripping finger will strike it at the proper time to
seize the two wires as they surround the bundle, and gripe and hold them freely so
that they may be severed and twisted together; it then opens and releases the
twisted ends of the wire for the discharge of the bundle, and holds them until the
proper moment arrives for again closing them.
To the top of the shaft, from which the twister arm projects, is hinged an arm
carrying a pointed needle, having near its point an open mortice, in which two
friction rollers are pivotted. The said needle is so fastened to the arm as to be

page_text: nearly vertical when its point is near the twister. Another friction roller is fastened
to the side arm at its bend above the needle, and a sliding shive to its side con-
nected with a spring, and to this sliding shive is fastened the ends of a cord or band
long enough to pass around a grooved shive placed at the lower end of the wire
spool, which is mounted on a spindle inserted in the hinged end of the needle arm.
A connecting rod pivoted to this needle arm is extended downward, and is attached
to a lever hinged to the lower end of the shaft whereon the needle arm hinges. The
other end of this lever is pivoted radially to a hub on a gear wheel, which is over-
hung, and has a shaft, the axial centre of which corresponds with the hinged point
of the other end of the lever. The rotation of this wheel by means of the lever
hinged to the shaft of the twister arm gives to it an oscillating or to-and-fro motion
on the said shaft, and at the same time the needle arm receives an up-and-down
movement by means of the connecting rod which unites the two. This connecting
rod extends above its point of connection with the needle arm, and has on its end a
shive.
Motion is imparted to the wheel to which the said lever is pivotted by a feathered
pinion on a grooved shaft arranged parallel to the shaft of the gear wheel. This
shaft is driven by a sprocket wheel and chain, connecting it with another sprocket
wheel on the crank shaft inside of the crank head. On the shaft to which the first-
named sprocket wheel is connected is also a clutch, having teeth which lock with
teeth on the sprocket wheel. This clutch is connected by levers and links to a
treadle near the driver's seat, so that he can disconnect the clutch from the sprocket
wheel for stopping the binder, and if his foot is removed from the treadle a spring
on the shaft forces the clutch towards and locks it with the sprocket wheel; then
its shaft revolves and operates the binding mechanism.
In threading the wire in the needle it is first passed from the spool around the
sliding shive, then around the shive in the top of the connecting rod of the needle
arm, then to the shive at the bend of the needle arm, and down the needle, and
through between the shives near its point, and then to the holding jaw below the
twister.

page_text: be cut. The sill C must also be extended to correspond with the required width of
swath.
In the rear of the finger bar E, and in front of this sill C, an endless apron F is
arranged for receiving the grain; this apron is supported on rollers at the ends of
and behind the cutting apparatus, motion being given to it by a band passing over
a band wheel H, fastened to the axis of the roller at the inner end of the said cutting
apparatus. This band G receives its motion from the crank wheel I, which is
The said band G also
connected by a train of gearing with the driving wheel A.
gives motion to the elevating aprons J, K, by the band wheel L on the shaft of the
roller which supports the upper end of the lower elevating apron, the apron K
receiving its motion from the band wheel L by gear wheels M, N, on the shafts of
the rollers of the aprons J, K; the journals of the rollers which support their
elevating aprons have their supports in the inclined side pieces 2*. This band G is
tightened by the pulley O, mounted on an axle affixed to the lever P, which is
,pivotted to the sill C at its lower end, has a sector slot at its upper end, and a
clamping bolt Q for holding it in its adjusted position. y* is the pitman connected
.at one end by a wrist pin to the crank wheel I, and its other end to the back end
of a sway bar, which is pivotted near its centre to a cross bar; the front end of the
sway bar is connected to the cutter bar near its centre, by which arrangement a
reciprocating motion is imparted to the cutters by the crank I.
A metal frame R supports the secondary gearing crank wheel and shafts, and is
bolted to two of the horizontal bars of the mair framework B. The bevel wheel
a and its pinion 61 are thus kept in proper working relation to each other, and
the pinion is also kept properly in mesh with the driving gear wheel l, which is
connected to the main driving wheel A. The shifting fork dl and the connecting
lever e¹¹ are supported on the same frame; the shifter fork embraces a groove in
the pinion c, and is connected with the lower end of the pivotted lever S, its upper
.end being within reach of the driver, who without leaving his seat T, can, by
moving the upper end of the lever, throw the cutters and the binding mechanism
.out. of and into gear at pleasure, the button U serving to hold the said lever.
The elevating aprons J and K are arranged nearly parallel to each other, and are
inclined outward from the cutting apparatus so as to carry the grain over the
driving wheel A, and deposit it on the receiving platform of the binder.
These elevating aprons are so arranged as to give space between them for the
grain to be elevated. The bottoms of these elevating aprons are so arranged that
the lower rollers will be in position to receive the grain between them as it is
delivered to them from the endless horizontal carrying apron. The rollers of the
upper apron K are placed higher than the rollers of the apron J; this arrangement
allows the aprons to receive the grain at their lower ends and discharge it properly
at their upper ends. The location of the aprons and their rollers are shown by
dotted lines in Figure 3. To facilitate the holding and carrying of the severed grain
by the aprons narrow slats of wood are fastened across and move with the said
aprons.
The reel shaft V is supported by a rock shaft, which has projecting from it
bearing arms X, Y, which support boxes for journals of the reel shaft. This shaft is
rolonged far enough beyond the supports to receive fans or beaters suitable for the
desired length of cutting apparatus. The lever Z connected to the rock shaft W is
arranged conveniently in relation to the driver, and has a bolt a which serves to
lock the lever to the catch plate b, and hold it and the reel when adjusted to either
of their positions; a link rod and thumb lever are provided for withdrawing the
bolt a, and a coil spring pushing against it serves to hold it when adjusted..
The reel shaft V can be adjusted forward or backward on the arms X, Y, by
moving its journal boxes, holes being provided for fastening them in different
positions. The rock shaft W is journalled in the posts c, d, which connect the parts
of the framework B. On the reel shaft, near its bearing arm X, is fastened a sprocket
wheel e. Inside this sprocket wheel, and on the projecting end of the journal bearing
of the reel, is placed the loop end or eye of the.link rod f; the lower end of this rod

page_text: is connected by a screw and jamb nuts to an open jaw or frame g, a similar frame
or jaw carrying a double sprocket wheel i connected to a bifurcated bracej, which
h
extends to and embraces the main axle. The journal piece of the double sprocket
wheel serves also for a point to connect the parts g and h.
imparts motion
A sprocket wheel on the hub of the first driving gear wheel
to the chain m, which operates the double sprocket wheel i and the latter in turn
gives motion to the chain n, which through the sprocket wheel e rotates the reel
shaft. By this method of supporting the reel and connecting it with the main
wheel, its driving mechanism is not effected injuriously by the raising and lowering
of the reel. The latter operation can be effected at pleasure by the driver in his
seat with the machine in motion by means of the lever Z.
In order to tilt or rock the machine on its main rod or driving wheel, and the
supporting wheel at the outer end of the cutting apparatus on which it is nearly
balanced, the pole or tongue o is pivotted to the frame of the machine at p. To the.
pole, forward of its pivot, is linked or pivotted a rod q, its other end being pivotted
to the projecting arm of the rock shaft r. This rock shaft has one of its bearings
in the post d, and its other in a stand s bolted to the frame B; to the other end of
the said rock shaft is secured a lever t, by means of a casting u. This casting has
a-bolt which locks with notches formed in the top of the stand 8, and serves to hold
the rock shaft, and through it to secure the pole o when the latter is adjusted to
the proper position.
With this arrangement of the lever t and its connection with the pole o, the driver
can, when in his seat, so tilt the frame of the machine as to elevate or depress the
front side of the machine and the cutting apparatus connected therewith to cut a
higher or lower stubble, as desired.
A section of the said cutting apparatus is shown at E, Figure 3. I use the
ordinary slotted fingers x, and a scolloped cutter in connection with the same. The
fingers are supported by the finger bar E and support the cutters y.
The machine thus far described embraces the devices and appliances used in
cutting and elevating the crop to the binding table. Its operation is as follows:-
A movement of the machine forward causes the rotation of the driving wheel A, and
the latter by its connecting train of gearing gives a reciprocating motion to the
cutters, and they in connection with the fingers sever the crop which by the rotating
notion of the reel falls on the endless carrying apron F, and the latter through its
connection with the driving wheel has a movement of its upper surface toward the
elevating aprons J and K, carrying with. it the crop resting on its surface; when.
the crop reaches the lower ends of the elevating aprons, they receive it, carry it up
between them, and discharge it under the curved wires z, and upon the binding
platform A. The curved wires serve to keep moving the sheet of grain deflected
downwards towards the binding table and prevent its disarrangement by the
wind.
For the purpose of automatically binding the grain as fast as the same shall accu-
Inulate on the platform in sufficient quantity to form a bundle, and discharging the
same therefrom as the same is bound, improved mechanism has been devised and
applied to the machine as follows, that is to say:-A metal frame B₁ is supported'
by guide pieces C₁ and D' attached to the lower cross timber B and guide pieces E
and F attached to the upper cross timber B. To the frame B is. attached the
journal support G¹, in which the vertical binder shaft H' is mounted with a capability
of turning freely in its bearings. The shaft H' has at each end a head piece and
open jaws. To the upper jaw is hinged the needle arm socket I'; to which is bolted.
the needle arm J'. This needle arm has attached to it a needle point Z', which has,
a short distance from its point, a mortise in which are pivotted two friction rollers a¹,
6. A friction roller c' is attached to the side of the arm J' at its angle or bend,
and another roller is placed in a box d' which is connected to a rod e¹ supported by
an eye piece fastened to the arm J. This rod e¹ has a coiled spring on its outer end
which serves to hold the box up to the eye that supports the rod e'. In the
needle arm socket I' is inserted a spindle f'; on this spindle is placed a grooved

page_text: shive g¹ connected with which is a hollow spindle h¹, with a screw thread on its
upper end, and a jamb nut which serves to hold the wire spool 7 firmly pressed
against the grooved shive gl, so that the said spool and shive must turn together.
In the groove of the shive gl is placed a cord or band k', and the ends of this cord
are fastened to a hook in the sliding box d¹, so that this device, acting with the
recoil of the spring on the spindle e¹, will produce sufficient friction on the shive g¹
to give the necessary tension to the wire, which tension may be increased or
diminished by means of the nut m². In the side of the needle arm J' is a
stud or pin n¹, to which is pivotted a pitman or connecting rod K', whose lower
end is pivotted at o¹ to a hinged lever or bar L'. This bar or lever L' is pivotted
in a hub of the gear wheel M¹, its other end being hinged to the lower end of
the vertical binder shaft H¹. The pitman or connecting rod K¹ is extended above
its point of connection with the needle arm J, and has attached to its end a
shive.
The gear wheel M' is keyed first to a shaft p¹ which is free to revolve in its box q¹
in the frame B'; the shaft p¹ of the gear wheel M¹ is so arranged that its centre
coincides with the centre of the hinge connection of the lever L¹ with the binder
shaft H. The gear wheel M¹ has on its inner circumference ratchet teeth f111, and
is provided with a pawl g¹¹, which locks it and prevents its rotation backward
when the binder is stopped. The said gear wheel is driven by a pinion 71 on the
shaft N¹, this shaft is journalled in the upright posts B, Figure 4, and has a longi-
tudinal groove in it, and the pinion has a stud or feather connected with it, so
that whilst the pinion is free to slide longitudinally on the shaft N', the said feather
prevents its turning, except with the said shaft. On the ends of the pinion are
collars which cover the ends of the teeth, so that any lateral movement of the gear
wheel M carries with it the pinion which is kept properly in gear with the
wheel M¹. On the outer end of the shaft N' is fitted loosely a sprocket wheel O¹,
and outside of this wheel on the same shaft is a clutch s¹, which by means of a pin,
passed through it, and the shaft can be caused to slide to and from the wheel O¹.
The jaws of the clutch s¹ interlock with similar jaws on the hub of the wheel O¹, so
that any motion imparted to this wheel O' is communicated to the clutch 8', and
through it to the shaft N¹. A fork t¹embraces the clutch and is pivotted to a short
arm attatched to a vertical shaft supported in a pipe box P¹ which has on its upper
end a similar arm connected by a link rod to one arm of a bell-crank which is
pivotted at v¹ and has its other arm locked to a foot treadle Q¹, conveniently
arranged with regard to the driver seat T. A spring R¹ on the shaft N¹ presses
against the clutch st, and holds its jaws interlocked with the jaws of the sprocket
wheel O¹, except when it is drawn back by the action of the driver's foot treadle Q¹.
Motion is imparted to the sprocket wheel O¹ by a chain S¹ passing round a small
sprocket wheel on the shaft inside of the crank wheel I. This crank wheel shaft
derives its motion from the main driving wheel A, by a connecting train of gearing.
A tightening sprocket wheel T¹ is so arranged on a stud in a slotted stand Ŭ¹ as to
give the desired adjustment for properly tightening the chain S¹.
The vertical binder shaft H' has near its centre a flange V¹ to which is bolted a
laterally projecting arm W. On this arm are arranged the wire-holding, clamping,
cutting, and twisting devices, and a portion of the mechanism for operating the
same. The arm W, projecting from the shaft H' at a right angle to the same,
occupies nearly a horizontal position and receives all its movements laterally from
the shaft H, but as a further support a roller w¹ is pivotted to its under side, and
has a fixed curved way connected with the frame B¹, over which it travels as the
arm W oscillates or moves to and fro. This arm Wat its outer end has an open
box or frame x¹ with downwardly projecting brackets y¹, ¹, to which is holted the
frame X¹ that carries the twister and cut-off hook, the pinion and its shaft, and a
part of the holding jaw, and to which is pivotted the griping jaws for holding the
wire during the operation of twisting. The different parts of this mechanism are
shown in Figures to 17.
Figure 5 is a plan, the binding platform A¹ being removed, and the parts G¹, H¹,

page_text: and K' being cut off even with the upper surface of the arm W. Figure 6 is a top
view, and Figure 7 an under side view of the wire-clamping plate. Figure 8 is an
edge view of the same.
Figure 9 is a top view, and Figure 10 an under side view of the wire-clamping
fingers. Figure 11 is an edge view of the same, with section of connecting rod.
Figure 12 shows the twister frame with twister hook, clearing finger, wire cutter,
pinion shaft, and a part of the wire-holding jaw, looking lengthwise of the arm Wi
and towards the shaft H.
Figure 13 is a view of the same parts looking in the opposite direction. Figure
14 is a top view of the same and the bolt part of the wire-holding jaw.
Figure 15 also shows the bolt part of the wire-holding jaw.
Figure 16 shows the separate parts, illustrated in Figures 8, 11, and 12, combined
and arranged in their proper relation to each other, together with section of brackets
y and z¹, and sector rack Y¹. This view also shews the wire around the bundle, the
ends twisted together, the needle arm elevated, and at the point where the clamping
jaws have released the wire and the twister hook is being reversed by the return
movement of the arm W₁, as seen in Figure 5, looking towards the end of the arm
Win the direction of the shaft H¹.
Figure 17 is a view of the same parts, with the arm W₁ in another position; and
the wire surrounding the bundle, with the needle arm down and the clamping jaws
closed at the point where the twister hook has seized one strand of the wire, and is
at the point where the hook is seizing the other wire prior to the severing and
twisting of the same.
j
The twister hook al is double for separately seizing the strands of wire. This
wire is fastened to the top of the journal 6; on the same journal a similar hook c¹l
is so fastened as to leave a space between it and the twister a sufficient for clearing
the finger d, which is pivotted to the frame X', and has a spring ell; the recoil of
the latter keeps the free end of tlie clearer du against the journal 6. This clearing
finger has its point bevelled off to fit the journal b", and serves to force out any
accumulated fibres and the ends of the wire when the twister hook is reversed in
the return movement of the arm W₁after the twist of the wire is completed and the
bundle ready to be released. The double hook c¹¹ is bevelled to give it a shearing
edge, and below it is fastened to the top of the frame X¹ a shear plate f". This
plate has a bevelled angle, and with the hook c¹¹ forms the shears for severing the
wire.
To the side of the frame X¹ is fastened the stationary part 1 of the holding jaw
for the wire. The movable or bolt part of the same is shown in position in Figures
5 and 14, and a portion of the same is shown detached in Figure 15. The flat part
of the bolt g is inserted in and fits the opening in the jaw ; its other or round
end passes through a hole in the stud which is pivotted to the end of a short
lever. The other end of this lever is pivotted at 11 to the under side of the arm WI;
The pivot projects below the arm, and has on it below the arm a friction roller;
This bolt g extends through the stud and has on it a spiral spring "; one end
of which presses against the ledge m¹¹ on the under side of arm W1, the other end
pressing against a pin that passes through the bolt g₁ close to the stud . This
spring serves to keep the flat end of the bolt gll pressed into the opening in the jaw
hil For giving motion to the twister hook all and cutter hook el a pinion mi is
fastened to the projecting end of the shaft b below the frame X. To the top of
the frame X', at nil, Figure 14, is pivotted wire-clamping fingers, as shown also in
Figures 5, 16, and 17. The frame X is bolted to the brackets y¹, 1, at the end of
the arm W, and the wire-clamping plates q" and 711 are fastened on the top of the
arm W, the upper wire-clamping finger or griping jaw o being placed between the
plates q,, the latter being so fastened together as to leave a space for its reception,
as seen in Figures 8, 16, and 17.
The finger p being below the plate, to the part o" at 8" is pivotted the rod t¹¹;
its outer end passing through a stud which is pivotted to the end of the arm v11, the
said stud extending through the arm far enough to receive a friction roller w¹¹, the

page_text: other end of the arm v¹¹ being pivotted to the arm W¹ on its under side at x¹. A
pin is passed through the end of the connecting rod t outside of the stud u¹¹, and a
spiral spring is placed on the rod inside of the stud and bears against a pin which
passes through it at y¹. To the under side of the arm W¹ is pivotted at 211 a sector
rack Y¹. This sector rack has a guide piece a* bolted to the under side of the frame
X¹, which serves to keep its internal gear rim in the same plane as the pinion m
with which it meshes. To the under side of the said sector rack is pivotted at b*
a friction roller.
I will now proceed to describe the devices mounted on the fixed frame c*, which
is firmly bolted to the frame B¹ and serves to impart motion to the holding, griping,
cutting, and twisting devices. In the frame c* is a cam-shaped groove or opening
d*, surrounded by parallel walls c* into which the friction roller on the lower end
of the pivot b* projects, the form of said cam, groove, or opening being clearly
shown in Figure 5. To a projecting ear f* is pivotted a cam piece g* which is held
against a stop h* by a spring i*; one end of the latter is attached to a short crank
arm attached to the lower end of the pivot g*, its other end being attached to a
similar short lever connected to the lower end of the pivot j* of the vibrating cam
*, in the position shown in Figure 5, the spring i* serving also to hold the cam *.
A fixed cam piece * is attached to the frame c*, its form and location being fully
shown in Figure 5; a straight rock piece m is bolted to the top of the part B; a
pinion n*, geared with it, has a long journal or shaft o* connected with it and
extending upwards above the elevating apron K, and is received in a bearing
attached to the framework. On the upper end of the shaft o* is fastened a lever
or crank which has a flange q* with notches in it, into which the end of a pawl
or dog, connected with the shaft support, will fall and hold it in its adjusted
position. The crank is arranged within the reach of the driver for convenience of
its operation.
The binder platform A¹ is a light frame, and rests on a horizontally-projecting
arm *, which is bolted to the framework of the harvester, its other end being
supported by metal plates s* secured to the cross piece of the platform A', and
fastened by a bolt to flange on the part G¹. The platform A' has a back board t*
connected with it, and to this and the platform is fastened a shielded piece u* which
projects outward, and is a hollow shell, having a slot v* slightly in excess of the
diameter of the needle Z¹, and curved to correspond with the path in which the
*said needle moves. This shield piece has at its upper end a lip, which extends into
a groove formed by the plate w* attached to the edge of the breast piece * in front
of the elevating apron J. The platform A¹ has a slot cut through it in the form of
an arc of a circle, of which H' is the centre. This slot is sufficient in width to
permit the open box frame at the end of the arm W¹ to travel freely.
I will now proceed to describe the operation of the binding mechanism, which is
as follows: Starting from the position shewn in Figure 1 and Figure 4, the needle
arm being elevated and properly threaded, with the wire as shown, the end of the
wire is fast in the holding jaws g, Motion is imparted to the gear wheel M¹
through the driving wheel A by the aforesaid intermediate mechanism; as the said
wheel rotates, it carries down the end of the arm or lever L¹ pivotted to it, and
draws down the pitman K, and with it the needle arm J¹ and its needle Z¹. The
arm or lever L, being hinged to the lower end of the vertical shaft H', imparts, to
the same and the arm WI connected with it an oscillating movement towards the
breast board a*, carrying with it the end of the wire which is fast in the holding
jaw g¹¹, h¹¹.
The accumulated grain is pressed against the breast board * and
shield u*, the point of the needle Z¹ passing down behind the mass of accumulated
grain, and between the straws of the falling grain, separates it, and surrounds the
separated gavel with the wire, the shield *, with its projecting face and slot,
aiding in the separation. When the needle is passing down through the opening in
the end of the arm W1, and the arm W₁ starts in its return movement, the roller
on the pivot b* strikes the slight incline in the walls e* of the cam-shaped opening
*, and the sector rack Y¹is moved enough to give a partial revolution to the

page_text: twister hook al, which catches the wire that is in the holding jaws h¹, g, and as
the arm W continues to move outward, the roller on the lower end of the stud u¹
strikes the vibrating cam k*, and the connecting rod t is moved forward, and so
closes the griping jaw o as to clamp both strands of the wire firmly against the
clamp plates q, 7. As the arm W continues its movement outwards, the roller
on the pivot b* strikes the second incline in the walls e* of the cam way d*, and
the twister hook al is moved sufficiently to catch the second wire, and draws it
across the holding jaws g, h, the said jaws being opened at the same time by
the roller on the lower end of the stud in the arm striking the cam piece g*.
As the roller passes the cam piece, the spring forces the jaws g¹¹ into its socket,
and fastens the wire that has been brought down by the needle Z, the end of the
wire previously held being released; as this action takes place, the wire that was
released from the holding jaws is severed by the cutting hook c". The continued
movement of the arm W₁ carries the roller on the pivot b* against the third incline
in the cam way d*, and the second wire is severed; the twister hook all having
seized the wire, the ends of the wire are now in the opposite sides of the twister
hook, each strand in its proper tooth or hook.
By the continued movement of the arm W', the sector rack rotates the pinion m¹l
and the hook all connected with it, and the ends of the wires are twisted together
until the roller on the pivot b* passes to the fourth incline in the cam way d*, when
the twister stops the roller on the part u¹¹, at the same time passes from the outer
end of the vibrating cam way *, and the griping jaw o" is released. On the return
movement of the arm W1, the roller on the part u strikes the other side of the
vibrating cam k*, having been thrown back by the recoil of the spring i*, and the
action of the cam on the roller throws the clamping finger o" open, and the com-
pleted bundle or gavel is released.
In the return movement of the arm W₁, the twister hook and cutting hook, by
the action of the rack Y¹, receive a reverse movement, which serves, by the aid of
the clearing finger 11, to remove any collection of straws or fibres that the twisting
and cutting hooks may have accumulated in the operation of twisting the ends of
the wire together. In this reverse movement the wide portion of the griping jaw
ol is held outward far enough to protect the wire. from the friction of the twister
hook in its backward rotation. Every rotation of the gear wheel M¹ completes the
operation of carrying the wire around the bundle, twisting the ends together, and
releasing the bundle.
The binding mechanism should be so geared in relation to the harvesting
mechanism of the machine as to complete the binding of a bundle of the stoutest
grain within the time required for the machine to cut enough for a full sized bundle.
This distance will be from ten to fifteen feet, according to the length of the cutting
apparatus used.
It will be seen that the whole of the binding mechanism is mounted on the frame
B, and so supported in guides as to permit its lateral adjustment for the
purpose
of
placing the wire around the centre of the bundle, according to the varying height
of the crop cut in different fields, or in the same field. This adjustment is effected
by the driver, who, while in his seat, by means of the crank p*, and its connecting
shaft o*, pinion n*, and rack m*, can at pleasure move the binder frame with the
binding mechanism supported thereon to and fro, to suit the length of the grain
being cut.
Standing grain not only varies in height but also greatly in stoutness, thick and
thin places being met with in the same field. But it is desirable to have the bundles
of nearly uniform size, and it is found that the most convenient way of accom-
plishing this result is by stopping the action of the binding mechanism, whilst the
gathering, cutting, and elevating devices continue in action. For this purpose the
machine is provided with a clutch s' and its intermediate connections, whereby the
driver in his seat can by means of the treadle Q' disconnect the clutch s¹ from the
sprocket wheel O¹, and hold it disconnected until sufficient grain has collected on the

page_text: -
platform of the binder to form a bundle; by removing his foot from the treadle he
causes the spring to throw the clutch into connection with the aforesaid driving
sprocket wheel, and the binding mechanism is brought into action, and will continue
to automatically bind and discharge the bundles at uniform distances, until it may
again be necessary for the driver to repeat the above-named operation.
The binding mechanism above described is shown as applied to a machine of
a particular type and construction, but it is equally applicable to other harvesting
machines without changing its essential features.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim,―
First. The combination of the carrying apron F and the elevating aprons J, K,
with the fixed breast piece, and a laterally adjustable grain receptacle, as and for the
purpose specified.
Second. The combination of the carrying apron, the elevating aprons, the fixed
breast, the laterally adjustable grain platform, and the shifting lever or crank
arranged within reach of the driver on his seat, so that he can change the same at
pleasure, as above described.
Third. The combination of the reel shaft supported on the projecting arms, and
a rock shaft combined with a lever within reach of the driver, whereby he can
adjust the reel to the varying condition of the crop without stopping his team, as
above set forth.
Fourth. The combination of the sprocket wheel connected with the main driving
wheel, the sprocket wheel on the reel shaft; and the intermediate double sprocket
wheel and its linked connection, so arranged as to keep the driving chain in the
proper working position, as above described.
Fifth. The hinged pole and its link connection with the arm at one end of the
rock shaft, in combination with a hand lever at the other end of the said rock shaft
arranged within reach of the driver, as and for the purposes set forth.
.
Sixth. The shifting lever S in combination with its connecting lever and the fork
for adjusting the pinion cl, thereby throwing into and out of gear the cutters
and binding mechanism, as above described.
Seventh. The combination with the sprocket wheel of the treadle arranged in a
convenient position near the driver's foot, and with its link connection and clutch &¹
on the driving shaft of the binder for moving the clutch out of connection with the
said sprocket wheel, and stopping the action of the binding mechanism at pleasure,
as above described.
Eighth. The combination of the lever for adjusting the height of the reel, tho
lever for tilting the machine, the lever for throwing the operative parts of the
machine in and out of gear, the crank or lever for the lateral adjustment of the
binder's table, and the treadle for holding the binding mechanism out of operation,
all arranged within reach of the driver in his seat, as above described and for the
purposes set forth.
Ninth. The combination of an automatic binder, having a horizontal oscillating arın
carrying the twisting mechanism, and a platform for receiving the falling grain
arranged with its upper surface parrallel to the plane in which the twister arm
moves, as above described.
Tenth. The combination of parts comprising the arm carrying the twisting devices
supported at one end by a vertical shaft to which is hinged the needle arin, so that
both shall oscillate on the same axial centre, whilst the needle arm has an up-and-
down movement independent of the movements of the twister arm, as and for the
⚫ purposes specified.
Eleventh. The twister arm to which is given an oscillating movement by means
of a lever hinged at one end to the axis of the said twister arm, and at its other end
radially pivotted to a wheel rotating on an axis coincident with the hinged point of
the said lever, as above set forth.

page_text: Twelfth. The needle arm having its up-and down movements imparted to it by a
connecting rod hinged to the said needle arm and to the same lever that gives the
twister arm its oscillating movements, as above set forth.
Thirteenth. Connecting the wire spool to a shive, and supporting the said wire
spool on a pivot attached to the hinged end of the needle arm in combination with
a cord or strap passed around it, and connected to an adjustable yielding shive box,
also attached to the. needle arm for giving necessary tension to the binding wire, as
above described.
Fourteenth. The connecting rod extended above its point of attachment to the
needle arm, and the shive attached to the upper end to serve as a take-up for the
slack of the wire, as above described.
Fifteenth. The arrangement of the grooved shaft N¹, arranged parallel to the ways
on which the binder frame B' is supported in combination with its flanged and
feathered pinion and the gear wheel M¹, to permit the lateral adjustment of the
binder frame without interfering with the proper relation of the several parts to
each other, as above set forth.
Sixteenth. The adjustable binder frame carrying automatic binding devices in
combination with the carrying apron F and the elevating aprons J, K, arranged as
and for the purposes specified.
Seventeenth. The adjustable binder frame carrying automatic binder devices, and
a horizontal binder platform, in combination with the elevating aprons and the breast
arranged between it and the elevated ends of the aprons, as above described.
Eighteenth. The double twister hook in combination with a double shearing hook
for the purposes of separately seizing, separately cutting, and then twisting the
wires together, as above set forth.
Nineteenth. The clamping finger o" and the plate q" in combination with a double
twister and double cutter hook, arranged below the jaw with sufficient space between
them to form the twist, as above described.
Twentieth. The holding jaw in combination with the double twister hook, the
double cutter hook, and the clamping finger, arranged in relation to each other, as
and for the purposes described.
Twenty-first. The wire holding, clamping, cutting, and twisting mechanism,
supported on an arm that oscillates on a vertical axis, in combination with a wire-
carrying hinged needle arm supported on the same axis and moving in the same
vertical plane with it, as and for the purposes set forth.
Twenty-second. The sector rack pivotted to the under side of the twister arm in
combination with the twister pinion and the cam-shaped opening for imparting
the required motion to the twister and cutter hooks, as and for the purposes
specified.
Twenty-third. The cam piece g* pivotted to the ear f* in combination with the
roller and arm for opening the bolt part of the holding jaw g₁, and releasing the
free end of the wire, and seizing the wire brought down by the needle, as and for
the purpose described.
Twenty-fourth. The pivotted vibrating cam k* in combination with the wire
clamping fingers o" and p", and its connecting rod, arm, and roller, for closing the
clamping fingers for griping the wire when the arm W' oscillates outward, and
opening the fingers when the said arm oscillates in the opposite direction, as above
described and for the purposes specified.
Twenty-fifth. The machine or harvester provided with an automatic binder, and
in which the parts are arranged and combined for joint operation in the manner and
for the purposes specified.
Twenty-sixth. The herein-described automatic binder, its several parts arranged
and combined for joint operation in the manner and for the purposes described.
Twenty-seventh. The herein-described gathering, cutting, carrying, and elevating

page_text: mechanism constituting the harvester proper, its several parts arranged and combined
for joint operation, as and for the purposes specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fourth day of January, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight,
DARN
W. ROD LAKE. (L.S.)