Improvements in Apparatus for Gathering Corn and the like.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Apr., 1891-Accepted, 30th May, 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Gathering Corn and the like.
I, THOMAS GULLAN, of Reighton Hall, Bempton, in the County of York,
Engineer, 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 :-
The object of this invention is to construct a machine capable of being moved by
hand or horse power, which shall gather the corn after it has been cut and pass it
automatically to a suitable hopper or receptacle where it may be bound into
sheaves.
PART OF
Figs. 1 and 2.
According to my invention the said improved apparatus consists of a suitable
frame A supported on wheels B near the centre of machine. In the front part of
machine is a revolving rake or gatherer consisting of crank shaft C and blades D
which are attached to guide levers E. The crank shaft has at its end a chain
wheel F¹ which is driven by chain F or other suitable means from chain wheel G
on the axle of machine. The body of machine consists of strips of any suitable
metal M forming an inclined platform. The strips M are arranged with a space
between each to allow of the passage of the fingers or teeth H, these teeth are
attached to cross rods J, and are supported by endless chains or bands J¹ working
over chain wheels K and K. The shaft carrying the chain wheels K has at its
end a chain wheel L, which is also driven by the chain F.
The lower extremities of the metal strips M, are made adjustable by being
attached to screwed rods N and nuts N'. The upper portion of the platform is
made to describe a large or eccentric curve M¹ in order to conceal the teeth H
when they have delivered the corn at the top of the platform. Boards are arranged
at the sides of the platform to prevent the corn falling off. The machine is provided
with a pole at the side for horse power arranged with the usual gear. The action
is as follows:
When the machine is moved forward the chain gearing causes the crank C to
revolve and imparts an elliptical motion to the blades D which collect the corn and
pass it back to the travelling teeth H which in turn grasp it and carry it to the top
of the inclined platform where by reason of the eccentric curve M' they release ít
and return underneath, the corn by reason of its own weight will feed itself to any
sheaf binder or other receptacle placed at the rear of the platform.
Instead of the travelling fingers or teeth H and metal platform M an endless
apron of canvas, leather or other suitable material may be substituted, carried on
rollers, and driven in a similar manner from the axle of machine.
Figs. 3 and 4.
In this modification the travelling fingers or apron is dispensed with and a
revolving rake with blades O is substituted.
A platform composed of metal strips M arranged eccentrically is used. The
blades D of the foremost rake collect the corn and pass it back to the revolving
blades O which grasp it and raise it upon the platform M as before described,

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. The construction of machines for gathering corn and the like, having collecting
rake blades D, cranks C and levers E in combination with metal platform M with
eccentrically formed portion M¹ and travelling fingers or teeth H (or any substantial
equivalent) such as described and shown in Figs. 1 and 2.
2. The construction of machines for gathering corn and the like having collecting
blades D, cranks C and levers E in combination with revolving rake Ŏ and metal
strips M forming an eccentrically shaped platform (or any substantial equivalent)
such as described and shown in Figs. 3 and 4.
Datel this 15th day of Anvil 1901
JOHN E. WALSH,
Crossley Street, Halifax, Agent for Applicant.
JOHN E. WALSH,
Crossley Street, Halifax, Agent for Applicant.