AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR SHEARING SHEEP
Year: 1888

page_text: We, TOTTENHAM LEE RICHARDSON of Murrawoombie near Nyngan in the Colony of
New South Wales (Grazier) and ROBERT DIXON of George Street Sydney in the said
Colony (Inventor) do hereby declare the nature of the said invention of Robert Dixon
for "AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR SHEARING SHEEP "and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
Our invention consists of novel appliances forming part of sheep shearing machines
and the connections necessary for driving the same.
Our invention comprises the following features and appliances
A revolving cutter and also a lateral motion cutter producing a variable cutting
edge and a flexible armature with endless belt for driving the same in each case.
It is the custon in sheep shearing apparatus to cut with a lateral motion. In one
of our shears by means of circular motion cutters we accomplish the same purpose with
greater expedition and thoroughness. This is produced by attaching to the under part
of our machine a number of steel blades radiating from a varying or changing centre,
thus forming a comb which will admit of a revolving cutter being used on the upper
surface. These cutters may be constructed of various forms although we preferably
use those shewn in the drawings because of the large surface to be operated upon.
In our other form of shears our mechanism produces a variable motion which
increases the effectiveness of the cutting knife. We have two methods of producing
that motion; the one by a lever having a slot at the end and another at a short distance
therefrom for attachment to the knife and a pivot upon which it moves, and at the
extreme or driving end a pin is inserted which travels in an endless groove cut upon
a revolving barrel, the groove being so constructed as to impart a lateral motion and
also at one part of the revolution to produce temporary stoppage of the knife and thus
give time to the operator to refill the comb. The variable motion before referred to is
produced by means of a connecting link fixed near the pivot of the lever and is attached
to the double pointed pin placed in the lower end of the knife, one end of the said pin
being made to move to and fro in the lower slot of the apparatus and in the short slot
in the lever

page_text: In our second method we accomplish the same result by using a cam of the form
shewn, working in an oval ended slot attached to the lever, in lieu of the barrel with
the endless groove, the temporary stoppage in this case being accomplished by the
peculiar form of the cam.
In these shears the comb is formed of a number of steel blades whose edges are
placed truly parallel, the knife being kept on the face of the comb by means of a
spring placed under the link in which the outer pin of the knife travels.
These machines we drive by a connection consisting of an endless belt running
lengthways round a flexible armi, preferably made of Vulcanized India rubber, on
which are placed a number of rollers to guide the belt which passes from the driving
shaft between the grip rollers at each end of the India-rubber arm and through the
rollers placed at intervals along the arm. The motion is transmitted by this means to
the cones or rollers attached to the extremity of the shears.
Our invention is carried out by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying
drawings in which
Figure 1 represents a sheep shearing apparatus to work with a revolving cutter,
with all the attachments thereto.
Figure 2 shews a plan of the underneath surface of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a view of Figure 1 in section shewing the casing, the driving gear for
working the knife, the disengaging spring, the locking gear the comb, the friction
rollers, the revolving knife, and the adjustable centre pin, which keeps the knife upon
the comb while the machine is working.
Figure 4 is a plan of a sheep shearing apparatus to work with a lateral motion
cutter by means of a lever pivoted and attached to the knife at one end and to a
revolving barrel at the other, the said barrel having an endless groove cut around its
surface and having a pulley to receive the driving belt.
Figure 5 is a plan of the same apparatus with the barrel removed and a cam,
travelling in an oval ended slot, substituted therefor.
Figures 6, 7 and 8 are different forms of revolving cutters to be used in the apparatus
shewn in Figures 1, 2 and 3.
Figure 9 is a plan shewing the flexible connecting arm with the endless belt and
rollers for guiding the same when the machine is working, enclosed with a protecting
casing.
Figure 10 is another view of the same shewing the method of attaching the guide
rollers to the flexible arm and connecting the endless belt with the driving shaft and
the shearing apparatus.
Figure 11 is an end view of the flexible connecting arm shewing the guide rollers
and endless belt.
Figure 12 is a sketch of the apparatus fixed ready for actual work.
Like letters indicate the same parts throughout the drawings.
In Figure 1. A is the lower part of the casing of the apparatus with a revolving
cutter. B are the steel blades forming the comb and are attached to the underside of
the casing. is the upper and moveable part of the casing. D is a grooved pulley
to receive the endless belt. E, E¹ and E' are either pinions or friction wheels attached
to the spindles F and G, and they transmit the motion to the revolving cutter. His
the locking gear held secure by the spring I, to keep the two parts of the casing
together when the machine is in motion, such locking gear being released by pressure
of the thumb, which disengages the pinions or friction wheels, thus stopping the cutter
without stopping the other working parts.
In Figure 2 the method of securing the blades to the lower part of the casing
is shown.
In Figure 3 the whole of the working parts of our apparatus with a revolving
cutter, are shewn. A is the lower casing. Bare the steel blades forming the comb,
and are secured to the under side of the casing with the screws J. C is the upper
and moveable part of the casing hinged at K to allow the parts to separate when
disconnected. D is a grooved pulley attached to the spindle F. E is a pinion or
friction wheel also attached to the spindle F. E' and E' are pinions or friction wheels

page_text: fastened at the outer end of the shaft or spindle G which is secured to the upper
casing in the bearings L. M is the revolving cutter. N the centre pin for holding
same. O a pinion or friction wheel for driving the cutter M, and having a collar for
securing the knife when made in two parts. P is a nut on the end of the centre
pin N for securing the friction wheel O and the knife M. Q is an adjustable steel
centre pin which presses upon the end of the pin N when the machine is working and
keops the knife down upon the comb B. are friction rollers placed under the knife to
reduce the friction. H is the locking described in Figure 1 with the spring attach-
ment I. S is the spring to raise the upper part of the casing when the locking
gear H I is released. T is a distance pin to regulate the opening of the casing when
the apparatus is disconnected.
In Figure 3, the casing A and the upper casing C are shown separated or pushed
apart by the spring S in order to show how the cutter M is stopped by throwing the
mitre wheels E and O out of gear.
The halves of the casing A and C are brought together by pressure of the hand
and locked by the locking device H being inserted under the head of the distance
pin T. By this operation the mitre wheels E2 and O are geared together, and the
taper point of the adjustable steel pin 9 (having been previously regulated) then
presses into the countersinking on the end of the centre pin N to which are secured
the revolving cutter M, the mitre or friction wheel O and the jamb nut P. The centre
pin N revolves in a recess formed in the lower half of the casing A. Therefore by
closing the casing A and C not only are the mitre or friction wheels F2 and O made
to gear with each other and the cutter M to revolve, but the adjustable steel pin Qis
also brought into contact with the point of the centre pin N on which the cutter M
is secured, and thus it is that the cutter is kept from lifting when it is working.
In Figure 4 U is the lower part of the casing of a sheep shearing apparatus
working with a lateral motion cutter or knife. Vare the blades forming the comb
and are secured to the underside of U by means of screws W. X is the cutter or
knife which traverses the entire width of the comb and is so adjusted as to ensure
during such passage specially effective cutting of the wool. Y is a lever working
upon a pivot Z screwed in the lower part of, the casing Y' is a slot formed in the end
of the lever Y in which moves the pin X¹ attached to the knife X. Y is another slot
in the lever Y in which the top end of the double pointed pin X³ moves, the said pin
being secured at its centre to the inner end of the knife X, and having its bottom end
traversing in the slot U' which is formed in the lower part of the casing. The pin X*
is attached to the knife X and moves in the slot U³, the said slot regulating the
traverse of the knife X. Underneath U' we fix a spring which keeps the knife X
down upon the comb V. Z' is a pin fixed in the end of the lever Y and projecting
far enough into the groove a¹ to enable it to work when the barrel a revolves. bis
a link attached to the casing U with the pin b and to the inner end of the knife by
the pin X³. a' is a grooved pulley cut on the end of the barrel a to receive the
driving belt.
The manner in which the cutting is effected is as follows:-One revolution of the
barrel a causes the lever Y to traverse the full range shewn on the drawing, thus
moving the knife X across the face of the comb V. The groove a¹ cut on the barrel a
is so formed that for about one-third of the revolution the lever Y is stationary, thus
enabling the operator to refill the comb.
The pins X, X, and X' which are attached to the knife X are made to run in their
respective slots Yi, Y' and U' and U as the lever travels from side to side. The
pin X does not vary its position with regard to the pivot Z but the pins X and X'
are variable in their movements, traversing in their respective slots Y¹ Y* and U¹
during the backward and forward movement of the lever. The knife X is moved to
and fro by the lever attached to the pin X, and the variable motion of the knife X
is obtained by the connecting link b, which is pivoted on the pin 6¹ secured in the
lower part of the casing. As the knife moves from the right to the left the con-
necting link 6 causes it to gradually assume a position so that the cutting always
commences at the most effective part, namely at the bottom of the comb. The

page_text: covering link U³ underneath which I place a spring, secures the knife upon the comb
during the process of cutting.
The dotted lines indicate the altered positions of the knife X, the pins X1, X2,
and X³, the lever Y, and the link 6 after a completed traverse across the face of
the comb.
Figure 5 shews an apparatus with all its parts similar to those shewn on Figure 4
from the pivot to the extremity of the comb:
In place of the shorter end of the lever Y with its pins Z' working in the groove a¹
cut on the barrel a, we substitute a slot c with oval ends, and for the barrel a, on
which is cut the groove a¹ and having the grooved pulley a², we substitute the cam d
revolving in slot c, keying it upon the spindle e.
The circular movement is obtained by means of the grooved pulley a³ which we
place at or on one side of the cam d, the peculiar form of the cam shewn being
necessary to effect the temporary stoppage of the knife X the results being in all
respects similar to that produced by the groove a¹ cut on the barrel a.
The cam & we make of eccentric form with one side flattened, to prevent continuous
contact with the sides of the slot c, and so producing the temporary stoppage similar
to the result obtained by the groove a' in the barrel a shewn in Figure 4.
With one
revolution of the cam & the knife X is made to traverse the entire width of the comb,
the lever Y and the link 6 performing their functions in a manner exactly similar to
that described in Figure 4.
We construct what we call the driving ends of the apparatus so that the mechanisms
producing the different motions are interchangeable and either of the two methods
may be adopted by changing the levers.
The working parts shewn in Figures 4 and 5. we cover with a thin casing, as in
Figure 3, to prevent disarrangement, and for the convenience of the operator.
Figure 6 shews a straight edged circular revolving cutter of star pattern to be used
in the apparatus represented in Figures 1, 2, and 3. We make this cutter in two
parts for convenience when placing it upon or removing it from the spindle N shewn
in Figure 3, the parts being secured by small screws passing through the collar g.
When the knife is placed in position the collar g is enclosed by the collar which forms
part of the friction pinion O described in Figure 3. The number of blades to this
cutter may be varied.
Figure 7 shews another form of circular revolving cutter having a concave cutting
edge. This is also made in two parts, similar to Figure 6.
Figure 8 shews a circular revolving cutter having a convex cutting edge. It is
also made in two parts, and otherwise is similar to Figures 6 and 7.
We preferably make these cutters of shear steel.
Figure 9 shews our method of driving the shears. is a piece of vulcanized India
rubber or other flexible material round in form, and for ordinary purposes in most
cases about five feet long, the length however being immaterial. and are brackets
for holding the grip rollers j, and are secured at the extreme ends of the flexible con-
necting arm by means of the pins k. The brackets i have flanges, by which they
are securely bolted to the driving end of the apparatus and also to the bearing of the
motion shaft at the other extremity. are small brackets placed at intervals along
the arm having guide rollers j₁ on their outer ends to guide the endless band in
which transmits the motion from the driving shaft to the apparatus. These brackets
are secured by bolts k in a similar manner to the brackets . The endless band m we
construct preferably of green hide or cat gut circular in form and about one-eighth of
an inch in diameter, the exact size or shape not being essential.
This endless band passes around the grooved pulley n fixed on the driving shaft,
then between the grip rollers; which are on one side of the brackets ¹ and then under
the outer rollers, which are, as stated, placed at intervals along the flexible arm h,
and then between the grip rollers of the brackets i which are attached to the driving
end of the apparatus, thence around the grooved pulley D shewn in Figures 1 and 3
and again between the grip rollers on the other side of the brackets i and thence under
the outer rollers of the sheaves I, and lastly through the grip rollers on the other side

page_text: m,
of the brackets & to the grooved pulley n fixed on the driving shaft. By means of the
grip rollers; an effective strain or tension is maintained on the endles belt
and by
means of the rollers j' the said belt is preserved in a position equidistant from the
centre of the flexible arm h during the varying movements made by the operator
when working the apparatus. The arm h, being constructed, as stated of India rubber
or other flexible material will adapt itself to any motion of the operator in performing
the process of sheep shearing. We surround the whole mechanism described in this
figure with a protecting cover of some flexible material; preferably an ordinary India
rubber tube. The mechanism described in this figure we use for driving the apparatus
described in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
Figure 10 is another view of the mechanism described in Figure 9 and shews on
one side of the arm / the grip rollers; and the guide rollers also the brackets i, i¹
and I, also the bolts k and k and the endless belt m and the driving shaft on which is
fixed the grooved pulley n.
Figure 11 is a cross section of the arm h shewing brackets and the securing
bolts, and the guide rollers j₁; also the endless belt m.
Figure 12 is a sketch shewing the complete apparatus as enclosed in the casing
attached to the side of a sheep shearing shed, as it would be when in actual use.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed it is to be clearly understood before
we state our claims that we do not bind ourselves to nor do we claim the particular
form shape or dimensions of the different parts of our apparatus nor the materials of
which they are composed (which may be iron, steel, brass, or other metal or substance
found most suitable for the construction of such apparatus); neither do we claim
any of our arrangements singly or apart from the objects or purposes of the said
invention as herein set forth.
We claim generally,-The Improvements in sheep shearing apparatus we have
described by which we obtain the advantages herein set forth, and we further specially
claim on account of their peculiar novelty.
1. The apparatus hereinbefore described consisting of the mechanism formed by the
outer casing A and the comb B attached thereto, the moveable part of the casing C,
to which is attached the grooved pulley D upon the spindle F the mitre wheels or
friction gearing E on the lower end of the spindle F, and E¹ and E' on the extreme
ends of the spindle G running in the bearings L for transmitting the motion to the
mitre wheel or friction gear O running upon the spindle N; the circular or revolving
cutter M; the friction rollers R placed under the knife M; the adjustable steel centre
pin for pressing the knife M upon the comb B, the locking gear H-I, the
spring S for raising the upper casing C, with the distance pin T to regulate the
opening of the casing all substantially as shewn and described and for the purposes set
forth.
2. The apparatus hereinbefore described consisting of the mechanism formed by the
undercasing U with the comb V thereto attached, the lateral motion cutter X with the
lever Y pivoted on the pin Z, having a pin Z at its shorter end working in
the groove a¹ cut on the barrel a; the revolving barrel a on which is cut the
groove a', which transmits the lateral motion to the knife X and effects the temporary
stoppage before described, and having a grooved pulley a² on its outer end for
producing the motion on the lever; the distance link b attached to the pin b¹ and the
connecting pins X', X' and X' traversing in the slots Y', Y', U' and U' in their
respective positions upon the knife ✗, the lever Y and the underpart of the casing U,
and the application of the spring placed under the link U' for keeping the knife X
upon the comb V; also interchangeably the slot c substituted for the short end of
the lever Y below the pivot Z; the cam d for transmitting the lateral motion to
the knife X and effecting the temporary stoppage before described placed upon the
spindle e and having at its side a grooved pulley f; all substantially as shewn and
described and for the purposes set forth.

page_text: 3. The apparatus herein before described consisting of the mechanism formed by the
flexible arm h, the brackets i and placed at the extreme ends of such arm / and
enclosing the grip rollers j, the brackets placed at intervals along the flexible arm h
having on their outer edge the guide rollers j¹ the endless driving belt m passing
around the grooved pulleys D and n and between the grip rollers; and under the
guide rollers placed along the flexible arm covering the same with a flexible outer
casing all substantially as shewn and described and for the purposes set forth.
Dated this Seventh day of March 1888.