Improvements in and relating to Straw-trussing and Sheafing Machines.
Year: 1888

page_text: Improvements in and relating to Straw-trussing and Sheafing
Machines.
We, JAMES HOWARD, EDWARD TENNEY BOUSFIELD, and GEORGE GIBBS, all of
Bedford, in the County of Bedford, Engineers do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows :—
Our invention relates to straw-trussing and sheafing machinery and comprises
several improvements, the nature of which is hereinafter set forth.
According to the first part of our invention, instead of attaching the straw-trusser
to the threshing machine by means of the arrangement described and illustrated in the
specification of Letters Patent, granted to two of us and dated February 10th A.D. 1885,
No. 1850, we effect this attachment in such a manner as to obviate the necessity,
either for removing the trusser or changing its position when it is desired to pass tho
straw away from the machine in an unbound condition; but as it is necessary—when
the combined throshing machine and trussing machine has to be removed from place
to place to raise the trusser portion sufficiently high to be out of the way of the
horses or engine employed to transport the entire machine, wo hinge the trusser to the
threshing machine; and by an improved mechanical arrangement comprising a right-
handed screw upon one side, and a left-handed one upon the other, the trusser may be
readily raised by one man actuating a winch or lever attached to one side of the
machine.
Another part of our invention relates to that class of portable trussing machines
which are mounted upon a wheel-carriage and work in combination with a threshing
machine; and has for its object to provide means for adapting the height of the mouth
of this class of trusser, to different threshing machines and making the necessary
adjustment when the machine is required to he worked upon uneven ground. In order
to accomplish this object we pivot the mouth or hopper of the trusser in such a
manner that it may be readily adjusted to, and fastened at, the required height.
Another improvement consists in providing improved means of guarding or
shielding the knotting mechanism and of lubricating the same. To effect these

page_text: objects we place a combined guard, shield or cover and lubricator over the knotting
mechanism in such a manner as to exclude chaff, straw, dirt or other material, but at
the same time to allow of efficient lubrication of the parts subject to friction, without
the necessity for removing the guard or shield; a portion of which, itself, forms a
receptacle for the lubricant.
In order to facilitate the passage of the straw from the shakers of the threshing
machine to the binding table wo hinge to the binding table a board (placod within the
hopper) to which a to and fro motion is imparted, either by connecting it with the
shakers, or driving it by other suitable means. Upon the opposite side of the hopper
of the trusser a similar device is also provided, to which is also imparted, by suitable
means a to-and-fro motion, and in some cases an up-and-down motion as well. In
some cases, the passage of the straw from the shakers to the binding table we
facilitate by the use of revolving canvasses in lieu of the vibrating board or boards
described.
Another part of our invention relates to improvements in the construction of a
portion of the knotting mechanism. Hitherto in what is known as the Appleby
Knotter, the cam employed for the purpose of opening the knotter jaw has been cast
upon and formed a portion of the knotter bracket. In this arrangement, when worn
by friction, the cam fails to open the jaw sufficiently wide and a complete new bracket
is required or a new cam piece has to be fitted upon the old bracket. In order to
remedy this defect, we construct the bracket with a separate cam piece which is fitted
to tho bracket in such a way that it is readily removable in order that a new one may
he substituted. It is also so shaped as to form a combined cam and bushed bearing
for the stem of the knotter hook. The removable piece, as a whole, forins a cam, a
bushed hearing, and a shield for protecting the knotting mechanism from falling pieces
of straw and dirt.
Another part of our invention relates to improvements in the construction of what
are known as steel-framed slicafing machines. In the construction of machines with
steel or metal frames, difficulty has been found in securing without unduly increasing
-the weight of the machine, an equal amount of rigidity as when wood is the material
used for the frame. To obtain adequate strength and rigidity with a minimum
weight of metal we form the framework of double channelled steel bars, in
section resembling the letter H but with the cross portion above the centre thus
H.
The object for thus forming the cross portion above the centre is that the necessary
bolts for connecting the different portions of the frame work together and securing
thereto bearings and other parts should pass through the channelled bar immediately
below the cross portion, which cross portion will therefore form a strut to prevent the
closing or drawing together of the sides forming the channel when the bolts are being
tightened a defect incident to frames formed of single channelled metal, the bolts
used in their construction having separately to pass through the centre of the channelled
bar or near thereto.
Dated this 31st day of March 1888.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Straw-trussing and Sheafing
Machines.
We, JAMES HOWARD, EDWARD TENNEY BOUSFIELD, and GEORGE GIBBS, all of
Bedford, in the County of Bedford, Engineers, 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 straw-trussing and sheafing machines and comprises various
improvements hereinafter set forth.
According to the first part of our invention, instead of attaching the straw-trusser
to the threshing-machine in the manner described and illustrated in the Specification
of Letters Patent granted to the said James Eloward and Edward Tenney Bousfield
and dated February 10th A.D. 1885, No. 1850, we effect the attachment of the
trusser in such a manner as to obviate the necessity for either removing the trusser or
changing its position, when it is desired to pass the straw away from the machine in an
unbound condition.
According to the second part of our said invention, we provide for raising and
lowering the trusser so that, when the combined threshing and trussing machine has
to ho moved from place to place, the trusser can be raised sufficiently high to be out of
the way of the horses or engine employed for transporting the said machine. For
this purpose we hinge or pivot the trusser to the threshing-machine in such a manner
that it may be readily raised by one man actuating a winch or crank-handle on one
side of the machine.
According to the third part of our said invention, we provide improved means for
facilitating the passage of the straw from the shakers of the threshing-machine to the
binding table.
The fourth part of our said invention relates to that kind or class of portable
trussing-machines in which the trussing-mechanism is mounted upon a wheel-carriage
and is designed for use in combination with a threshing-machine; and this part of the
said invention has for its object to afford the means for adapting the height of the
month of the trusser to different threshing-machines, and for making the necessary
adjustment when the machine is required to be worked upon uneven ground. To
accomplish these results, we pivot the hopper of the trussor in such a manner that it
may be readily adjusted to, and fastened at the required height.
The fifth part of our said invention relates to improvements in the construction of a
portion of the knotting mechanism. Hitherto, in what is known as the Appleby
Knotter, the cam employed for the purpose of opening the knotter-jaw has been cast
upon, and formed a portion of, the knotter-bracket. In this arrangement, when the
cam is worn by friction and fails to open the jaw sufficiently wide, a complete new
bracket is required, or a new cam-piece has to be fitted upon the old bracket. To
remedy this defect, we construct the bracket with a separate cam-piece which is fitted
to the brucket in such a manner that it is readily removable and a now cam-piece can
be easily substituted for a worn one. The removable. piece is formed with a bushed
bearing for the stem of the knotter-hook and, in some instances, with a shield or

page_text: guard for the knotting mechanism. The said removable piece, therefore, as a whole,
forms a combined cam, bushed bearing, and shield or guard, and the knotting
mechanism is thereby protected from falling pieces of straw and dirt.
The sixth part of our said invention relates to improved means for guarding or
shielding the knotting mechanism and for lubricating the same. To effect those
objects, we place a combined guard, shield or cover and lubricator over the knotting
mechanism in such a manner as to excludo chaff, straw, dirt or other material, but at
the same time permit efficient lubrication of the parts subject to friction, without the
necessity for removing the guard or shield, a portion of which itself forms a receptacle
for the lubricant.
The seventh part of our said invention relates to improvements in the construction
of what are known as "steel-framed sheafing-machines." In the construction of
machines with steel or other metal frames, difficulty has been experienced in securing,
without unduly increasing the weight of the machine, an amount of rigidity equal to
that obtained when wood is the material employed for the frame. To obtain adequate
strength and rigidity with a minimum weight of metal, we form the framework of
double-channelled bars of steel or other metal, that is to say, bars which are H-shaped
in transverse section, but with the cross-portion or web of the same above, or out of,
the centre of the flanges or side portions thereof.
The object in thus forming the cross-portion or web above, or out of, the centre of
the side portions is to allow the necessary bolts (for connecting the different portions of
the framework and for securing thereto bearings and other parts) to be passed
through the channelled bar immediately below the cross-portion or web, so that the
latter will form a strut which will effectually prevent the closing in or drawing
together of the sides of the har, when the bolts are being tightened, a defect incident
to frames formed of ordinary U-shaped or single-channelled bars wherein the bolts
used, having necessarily to pass through the centre of the channelled bar, or near
thereto, are a considerable distance from the cross-portion thereof, which consequently
affords but slight resistance against closing in of the sides of the bar.
In the accompanying drawings.
.
Figure 1 is a side elovation of part of a threshing-machine with a straw-trusser
attached theroto in accordance with our present invention.
Figure 2 is a rear elevation, showing the mechanism for raising the said straw-
trusser.
Figure 3 is a side elevation of a portable trussing-machine and a portion of
the roar end of a threshing-machine, showing our improved means for adjusting the
hopper.
Figure 4.is a side elevation, and
Figure 5 an end elevation of the knotting-mechanismi detached.
Figure 6 is a plan illustrating details of construction.
Figure 7 is a section of one of the double-channelled or H-shaped bars forming the
framework of the sheafing-machine.
Bont
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, A. is the threshing machine, which has firmly
secured on each side thoreof, by bolts or otherwise, a strong bracket B.
levers are fixed upon framme tubes (which extend through the brackets B, so that
the said levers are pivoted to the said brackets. The trusser is rigidly secured to
frame tubes C fixed in the said lovers C. The forward ends of the levers Care forked
as shown at C. In these forked ends are fitted nuts D provided with trunnions D',
so that the said nuts are free to turn or swivel on the said trunnions. One of the
nuts 1) has a left-hand and the other a right-hand screw-thread, and through theso nuts
work corresponding screw-shafts E. The lower ends of the said screw-shafts are
coupled, by means of universal joints at E', to short-shafts F supported in suitable
bearings Fi bolted or otherwise attached to the sides of the threshing-machine. Bevel-
wheels G are keyed upon the lower ends of the said shafts F and are geared with
bevel-wheels H fixed upon a shaft J, which is supported in brackets J' attached to the
frame of the threshing-machine. The said shaft J is provided with a crank-handle J²
whereby it may be rotated.

page_text: By rotating the shaft J in cue or the other direction, the screw-shafts ▷ may be
simultaneously screwed into or out of their respective nuts D, thereby turning the
levers C about their fulcrum and elevating or lowering the trusser. The universal
joints at E permit the upper ends of the screw-shafts E to move in correspondence
with the circular or angular motion of the forward ends of the levers C. By these
means, we provide for raising the trusser, whenever it is required to transport the
entire machine from one place to another, so as to be sufficiently high to be out of the
way of the horses or engine employed in effecting the transport. The trusser is
provided with a frame K which is rigidly attached to the frame-tubes CC³, and
which, when the said trusser is down, rests against the rear end of the threshing
machine.
By attaching the trusser to the threshing machine in the position shown in the
drawing, we obtain the advantage that when it is desired to discharge the straw from
the machine in an unbound condition, we can, without detaching the trusser or changing
its position interpose a board L between the delivery-end of the shakers M of the
threshing-machine and the trusser. This board receives the straw delivered by the
shakers and allows it to slide off the machine clear of the trusser. The said board L
is supported by the sides of the trusser-hopper and is secured in place by any
convenient means.
To facilitate the passage of the straw from the shakers of the threshing-machine to
the binding table of the trusser, we sometimes provide a board N, which is hinged or
pivoted at N to the said table. This board is placed within the hopper and to-and fro
motion is imparted to the said board either by the shakers M, to which it may be
connected in any convenient mannor, or by means of an eccentric O fixed on one of
the revolving shafts of the trussor-mechanism, and connected by its rod O' to a
levor P firmly connected to the said board N. The loverage may be varied by coupling
the eccentric rod to the lever at a point nearer to, or further from the fulcrum of the
said lover, thus varying the angle or amplitude of oscillation of the board N. We may
if desired, use more than one vibrating board.
In some cases, we employ revolving or travelling canvas-bands in lieu of the
vibrating board N for facilitating the passage of the straw from the shakers to the
binding table.
Referring to Figure 3 a is the wheel-carriage upon which the trussing-mechanism
is mounted is the hopper which is pivoted at to the carriage a, that is to say, upon
the axis of the driving shaft so that the said hopper can swing in a vertical plane
around the said axis, without interfering with the operation of the mechanism. c is a
bar which is secured to the side of the hopper b, and to which is pivoted at a bar d
secured near its lower end to the side of the carriage a by means of a thumb-screw d²
(or other suitable device) which is passed through a slot in the side of the said carriage
and is screwed into a tapped hole in the bar d. Several tapped holes are provided in
the said bar d, so that, by inserting the thumb-screw d into one or other of these
holes, the height of the lip or mouth of the hopper may be regulated or adjusted to
suit the height of the shakers M of the threshing machine.
In Figures 4 and 6 e is the knotter-bracket, is our removable or detachable cam-
piece which is formed with a bushed bearing f for the stem of the knotter-hook, and
with a shield or guard. The combined cam, bushed bearing, and shield or guard
are secured in the bracket e by means of a set screw 9 or in any other convenient
manner so that they can be readily detached and replaced. It is obvious that if
desired, we can make the combined cam and bushed bearing without the guard or
shield.
In Figures 4 and 5, we have illustrated our improved means for guarding or
shielding the knotting-mechanism and for lubricating the same, is the guard, shield
or cover, which is formed with the lubricator or oil-cup and attached to the
bracket e by means of an angle piece e¹. The guard is placed over the knotting-
mechanism in such a manner as to exclude chaff, straw, dirt or other material and the
lubricator or oil cup is provided with a wick 2 formed of cotton or other suitable
material adapted to bear against and lubricate the moving parts of the mechanism.

page_text: In carrying the last part of our said invention into practice, in the construction of
the frames of sheafing-machines from steel or other metal, instead of trough-shaped or
channelled bars of the ordinary U-section, we use a bar of H-section with its cross-
portion or web above, or out of, the centre of the flanges or side portions thereof, as
shown in Figure 7, for the purpose herein before specified.
We thus obtain a metal frame of adequate strength and rigidity with a minimum
weight of metal.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what mannor the same is to be performed we wish it understood
that we claim :-
First. The improvements whereby we obviate the necessity for removing the trusser
or changing its position when the straw is to be discharged from the machine in an
unbound condition, substantially as described.
Second. The provision of suitable means for raising the trussor to move it
clear of the horses or engine employed for transporting the machine, substantially us
described.
Third. The improved moans, comprising the vibrating board or boards, for facilitating
the passage of the straw from the shakers to the trussing devices, substantially as
described.
Fourth. The combination, with portable trussing-mechanism, of a movable hopper
for receiving the straw from the shakers of a threshing-machine, and moans
for adjusting the said hopper, substantially as, and for the purposes, set forth.
Fifth. The combination, with the knotter-bracket, of the removable or detachable
combined cam and bushed bearing, with or without the shield or guard, all
substantially as, and for the purposes, set forth.
Sixth. The combination, with the knotter-mechanism, of the combined guard,
shield or cover and lubricator, substantially as, and for the purposes, set forth.
Seventh. A frame for a sheafing-machine, formed of channelled metal bars of the
section shown in Figure 7 of the drawings, for the purpose specified.
Dated this 31st day of December 1888.