IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING MACHINES AND APPA- BATUS FOR BINDING UP CUT CROP OR STRAW INTO SHEAVES OR BUNDLES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Thomas Burgess, of Brentwood, in the County of
Essex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING MACHINES AND APPA-
BATUS FOR BINDING UP CUT CROP OR STRAW INTO SHEAVES OR BUNDLES."
Sealed the 2nd December 1879, and dated the 28th June 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Thomas Burgess at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th June 1879.
CHARLES THOMAS BURGESS, of Brentwood, in the County of Essex. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN REAPING MACHINES AND APPARATUS FOR BINDING UP OUT CROP OR
STRAW INTO Sheaves or BuNDLES."
In the Specification of a former Patent granted to me, No. 978, in the year 1878,
was described an arrangement of sheaf binding apparatus applied to a side delivery
reaping machine, and further improvements on such mechanism were described in a
Provisional Specification lodged by me on the 12th day of May 1879, No. 1883.
In this mechanism the apparatus for compressing and binding the bundles of crop is
mounted on a platform placed at the delivery side of the ordinary platform of a side
delivery reaping machine. The compressing and binding apparatus is situated at
the back end of the additional platform, and the cut crop is delivered in bundles
from the ordinary platform on to the additional platform, and is then brought under
the action of the compressing apparatus and bound and tied. As a quantity of the
cut crop is being delivered from the one platform to the other there is a liability of
some of the straws striking against parts of the compressing and binding mechanism
and getting entangled with them, or else of being obstructed from passing into
correct position for being bound into a sheaf with the remainder of the bundle, and
this is more especially the case when the mechanism is arranged so that one
bundle of crop is being compressed and bound up to form it into a sheaf at the time
when another bundle is being delivered from the main platform to the additional
platform.
To obviate this I employ a moveable board to stand across the additional plat-
form, and also to overlap part of the ordinary side guard at the time when a bundle
of crop is being delivered from the one platform on to the other, and so at this time
form as it were a prolongation of the ordinary side guard, which stands up all

page_text: around the outer edge of the ordinary platform. The board thus serves as a guard
to prevent any portion of such bundle of crop from coming against the compressing
and binding apparatus, which is at the rear end of the additional platform.
When auch bundle has been compressed and bound, and the compresser arms
open, the board is caused to rise out of the way, so that at the same time that the
bound sheaf is discharged from under the compresser the bundle of which has
crop
been delivered on to the additional platform may be moved back to bring it to the
compressing apparatus.
The board may be fixed to an arm or arms standing out from the axis that carries
the forward compresser arm, so that as the compresser arin is raised the board rises
with it, and as it rises may assist in clearing off any portion of the cut crop that
may hang on the top of the side guard; or the board may be jointed to arms on
this axis, and be also connected by links to pins eccentric to the axis in such a
manner that the board as it is raised up from the platform is caused to move towards
a horizontal position, so as to bring it over the bundle of crop that is lying on the
additional platform and is being brought below the compresser arms.
In this way the board in addition to acting as a screen to prevent the bundles of
crop as they are being delivered from one platform on to the other from striking
against any part of the compressing and binding mechanism, inay also serve to lie
above the crop as it is being moved back to bring it within reach of the compresser
arms, and thus again serve as a guard to hold down the bundle and prevent any
part of it striking or getting above the forward compresser arm.
When my compressing and binding apparatus is used for tying straw into bundlos
the parts of the compressing and tying mechanism may be duplicated, so as to
secure two strings around each bundle of straw instead of one only; the same also
might be the case with mechanism for securing bundles of cut crop previous to their
being delivered from a reaping machine. Among other advantages of this arrange-
ment a binding material niight be used of less strength than is necessary when only
one band is used, and a less degree of tightness would suffice to keep the shenf
together and the straws straight.
In order to ensure that the cut crop when it is delivered from the one platform
shall reach such a position on the other that the gatherer (described in the Specifi-
cation of my Patent, No. 978, above mentioned) shall be enabled to bring the bundle
up to the binding and compressing apparatus with the ends of the straws as nearly
as possible even with each other, and so as to cause the string or other band to be
bound at any required distance from the end of the sheaf or bundle, I place at the
delivery end of the first platform a roller or rollers which may be made to revolve
or not by suitable gearing, and be adjustable or not.
A single adjustable roller may be used so as to carry the sheaf beyond the point
at which the delivery rakes of the reaping machine cease to act upon it, or so as to
keep the sheaf up to a level at which the rakes may continue to propel it. This
roller may be a simple cylinder or be conical throughout the whole or part of its
length, and may be furnished with spiral or other projections to assist it in moving
the crop.
The gathering prongs may be made adjustable, so that they may be set more or
less one in advance of another, as well as more or less wide apart. The effect of this
arrangement is to cause the sheaf as it is moved towards the binding and com-
pressing apparatus to be moved endwise to some extent at the same time.
Instead of prongs a board or boards might be used on the gatherer to allow of the
sheet moving endwise with greater ease.
The arrangement described in my Specification, No. 1883, above referred to, for
connecting the knotting apparatus to the frame of the machine may be modified in
such a manner as to allow of the knotting frame being slidden in at either of several
points on the binding platform.
The apparatus dependant upon the position of the knotter is also arranged to be
correspondingly adjustable. By this means the position of the band on the sheaf can
be varied at pleasure.

page_text: In order to regulate the position of the sheaf upon the binder platform I so
arrange the rake gearing that the rake which delivers the sheaf from the first plat-
form to the binder platform is caused to rise from its platform at a position more or
less advanced. The point at which the rake rises from the platform will be approxi-
mately that at which the butt end of the sheaf will rest until pushed towards the
binding and compressing apparatus by the gatherer.
In order to provide ample room for the horses to turn at the corners of the plot I
cause the sheaf after it is bound to be arrested in its delivery on to the ground by a
board or prongs projecting in such a manner as to receive the sheaf as it comes from
the binder platform. This board is hinged and connected by suitable links to a lever
or treadle, or other suitable contrivance, within reach of the person in charge of the
machine, so that he can cause it to rise and support the sheaf as long as he wishes
to prevent its being delivered on to the ground.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Charles Thomas Burgess in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 24th
December 1879.
CHARLES THOMAS BURGESS, of Brentwood, in the County of Essex "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN REAPING MACHINES AND APPARATUS FOR BINDING UP CUT CROP OR
STRAW INTO SHEAVES OR BUNDLES."
In the Specification of a former Patent granted to me, No. 978, in the year 1878,
was described an arrangement of sheaf binding apparatus applied to a side delivery
reaping machine, and further improvements on such mechanism are described in the
Specification of a Patent granted to me on the 12th day of May 1879, No. 1883.
In this mechanism the apparatus for compressing and binding the bundles of crop is
mounted on a platform placed at the delivery side of the ordinary platform of a side
delivery reaping machine. The compressing and binding apparatus is situated at
the back end of the additional platform, and the cut crop is delivered in bundles
from the ordinary platform on to the additional platform, and is then brought under
the action of the compressing apparatus and bound and tied. As a quantity of the
cut crop is being delivered from the one platform to the other there is a liability of
some of the straws striking against parts of the compressing and binding mechanism
and getting entangled with them, or else of being obstructed from passing into
correct position for being bound into a sheaf with the remainder of the bundle, and
this is more especially the case when the mechanism is arranged so that one
bundle of crop is being compressed and bound up to form it into a sheaf at the time
when another bundle is being delivered from the main platform to the additional
platform.
To obviate this I employ a moveable board to stand across the additional plat-
form, and also to overlap part of the ordinary side guard at the time when a bundle
of crop is being delivered from the one platform on to the other, and so at this time
form as it were a prolongation of the ordinary side guard, which stands up all
around the outer edge of the ordinary platform. The board thus serves as a
guard to prevent any portion of such portion of crop from coming against or getting
above the compressing and binding apparatus, which is at the rear end of the addi-
tional platform.
When such bundle has been compressed and bound, and the compresser arms
open, the board is caused to move out of the way, so that at the same time that the
bound sheaf is discharged from under the compresser the bundle of which has
crop
been delivered on to the additional platform may be moved back to bring it to the
compressing apparatus.
The board may be fixed to an arm or arms standing out from the axis that carries
the forward compresser arm, so that as the compresser arm is raised the board rises
with it, and as it rises may assist in clearing off any portion of the cut crop that
may hang on the top of the side guard; or the board may be jointed to arms on
this axis, and be also connected by links to pins eccentric to the axis in such a
manner that the board as it is raised up from the platform is caused to incline
forwards or move towards a horizontal position, so as to bring it over the bundle of
crop that is lying on the additional platform and is being brought below the com-
presser arms.
In this way the board may in addition to acting as a screen to prevent the
bundles of crop as they are being delivered from one platform on to the other from
striking against any part of the compressing and binding mechanism, may also serve
to lie above the crop as it is being moved back to bring it within reach of the com-
presser artus, and thus again serve as a guard to hold down the bundle and prevent
any part of it striking or getting above the forward compresser arm. I prefer how-
ever that the screen or board as it is raised should merely be caused to somewhat

page_text: incline forward or retain a nearly vertical position, as shown in the Drawings here-
unto annexed.
The Drawings annexed shew a guard applied across the additional platform of a
side delivery reaping machine fitted with sheaf binding mechanism constructed as
described in the Specification of the Patent before mentioned, No. 1883, in the year
1879. I do not however confine myself to applying the guard to machines in which
the mechanism for compressing and tyeing the sheaf is arranged as therein described,
as it is equally applicable to other arrangements, whether the binding of the sheaf
be effected by string or by wire, so long as the binding mechanism is carried by an
additional platform at the delivery side of an ordinary side delivery platform of a
reaping machine.
Figure 1 is a diagram plan view of the machine; Figure 2 is a back view of the
additional or binder platform; Figures 3 and 4 show on a larger scale the standard,
which rises up from one side of the additional platform and carries the compressing
and binding mechanism, and also the board or guard above mentioned; Figure 3
shews the board raised, the compresser being open, and Figure 4 the board lowered.
into position to serve as a guard, the compresser being then closed.
A is the line of the knife used for cutting the crop; B is an ordinary side delivery
platform; C, C, are the rake arms used for laying the crop towards the cutters, and
also at such times as required for sweeping the crop when cut from off the platform
B; D is the additional platform at the delivery side of the platform B; F is a
standard rising up from one side of this additional platform, and carrying the axes
of the compresser arms and thread arms, as described in the Specification of the
Patent herein before mentioned, No. 1883; these nxes have motion given to them,
as shewn, from a rocking shaft which passes below and across the rear end of the
additional platform, and itself receives a rocking motion from a crank pin on a
wheel on the rake shaft of the machine, as fully described in the above mentioned
Specification. G is the axis carrying the front compressor arm, and H the axis
carrying the back compressor arm; this latter axis is hollow, and through it passes
the axis of the thread arm J. As the gearing for giving motion to these axes from
the axis E is just the same as in the Specification before mentioned it is unnecessary
to now give any description of it. The axis G of the front compresser arm has
standing out from it in addition to this arm two other arms I, 11, to which is
jointed the board K; this board is also connected by a link L to a fixed centre at
L', carried by a small standard M, which rises up from the horizontal arm that
carries the axes G, H. As the board is carried by arms fixed to the same axis as
the front compresser arm, the board descends at the same time that the com-
presser arms descend to compress & bundle. As the compresser is compressing a
bundle of crop another bundle is swept off from the ordinary platform, and the
guard board being down in the position shewn at Figure 4, any portions of the
bundle which may come against it are deflected and caused to fall onto the addi-
tional platforin in front of the compressing, and binding apparatus, so preventing
any portion of the crop from striking against or getting above the apparatus.
When the compresser opens, the board rises, and is then by the link L retained
in a somewhat inclined position, as shewn. The so keeping the board in an inclined
position helps to clear the board from the bundle of crop lying in front of it, and
prevents the board from dragging up with it any portion of the crop. As before
stated, the board might be caused to incline forwards to a still greater extent, and
act as a guard to hold down the bundle of crop as it is being moved back along the
additional platform to bring it within reach of the compresser arms. This further
incliration may be given to the board simply by altering the position of the pin L",
to which the connecting rod is coupled.
In the Drawings the board K is shewn parallel with the axes G, H; it might how-
ever, if preferred, be set at an angle thereto; this can readily be effected by con-
necting the arm I' to one or other of a number of holes in an arm standing out from
the back of the board, as shown by dotted lines in Figures 3 and 4.

page_text: In place of the board being caused to rise up so as to be out of the way after a
bundle of crop has been swept on to the additional platform, the board might be
moved away end wise, or otherwise moved out of the way, to allow of the bundle of
crop being moved along the additional platform and brought within reach of the
binding mechanism.
When the binding mechanism is placed at the forward end of the additional plat-
form a moveable board may similarly be used to serve as a shield for the binding
mechanism whilst a portion of the crop is being swept on to the additional platform,
and afterwards to move out of the way to allow of the portion of crop being brought
within reach of the binding mechanism.
In order to ensure that the cut crop when it is delivered from the one platform
shall reach such a position on the other that the gatherer (described in the Specifi-
cation of my Patent, No. 978, above mentioned) shall be enabled to bring the bundle
up to the binding and compressing apparatus with the ends of the straws as nearly
as possible even with each other, and so as to cause the string or other band to be 1
bound at any required distance from the end of the sheaf or bundle, I place at the
delivery end of the first platform a roller or rollers which may be made to revolve
or not by suitable gearing, and be adjustable or not.
A single adjustable roller may be used so as to carry the sheaf beyond the point
at which the delivery rakes of the reaping machine cease to act upon it, or so as to 2
keep the sheaf up to a level at which the rakes may continue to propel it. This
roller may be a simple cylinder or be conical throughout the whole or part of its
length, and may be furnished with pins or other projections set spirally or otherwise
upon it to assist it in moving the crop. At N, Figure 1, I have shown a conical
roller thus set at the delivery end of the platform B. Any suitable arrangement of 2
gear may be employed for causing it to revolve, so that I have not thought it
necessary to shew any in the Drawing.
The best speed for the roller to be driven would vary with the condition of the
crop, but in most cases I prefer that it should be driven at a somewhat greater
surface speed than that at which the crop is moved up to it by the rakes; or the 3
roller might be allowed to revolve freely, and simply act as a friction roller.
The gathering prongs used for sweeping the crop delivered on to the additional
platform along this platform to bring it within reach of the compresser arms, as
described in the before mentioned Specification, must be made adjustable, so that
they may be set more or less one in advance of another. The effect of this arrange- 3
ment is to cause the sheaf as it is moved towards the binding and compressing
apparatus to be moved endwise to some extent at the same time. At Figures 5 & 6
I have shewn how the two end prongs may be set forwards or backwards as desired.
The stems of the prongs are in this case made in two parts, which can be locked
together in different positions by a bolt, as shewn.
Instead of prongs a board or boards might be used on the gatherer to allow of the
sheaf moving end wise with greater ease.
In some cases the inner prong may be formed with spikes standing forward from
it to enable it to get a secure hold of the sheaf in case the straws should be lying
at such an angle that the prongs as they move towards the binding apparatus
would otherwise slide along some of the straw instead of moving it up to the binding
apparatus.
The arrangement described in my Specification, No. 1883, above referred to, for
connecting the knotting apparatus to the frame of the machine may be modified in
such a manner as to allow of the knotter frame being slidden in at either of several 5
points on the binding platform.
The apparatus dependent upon the position of the knotter is also arranged to be
correspondingly adjustable; this may be effected by making the shafts of the com-
presser and string arms telescopic. By this means the position of the band on the
sheaf can be varied at pleasure.
In order to provide ample room for the horses to turn at the corners of the plot I

page_text: cause the sheaf after it is bound to be arrested in its delivery onto the ground by a
board or prongs projecting in such a manner as to receive the sheaf as it comes from
the binder platform. This board is hinged and connected by suitable links to a lever
or treadle, or other suitable contrivance, within reach of the person in charge of the
machine, so that he can cause it to rise and support the sheaf as long as he wishes
to prevent its being delivered on to the ground.
At Figure 1 I have shewn a receptacle composed of a set of prongs O, O, standing
out from a bar P, which is free to be turned in bearings below the end of the addi-
tional platform.
'
Many ways of enabling the driver to hold the prongs up or allow them to turn
down will readily suggest themselves to any mechanic, so that I have not thought
it necessary to show any in the Drawings.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention and the manner of performing
the same, I would have it understood that I claim,―
First. In side delivery reaping machines having an additional or binder platform
at the delivery end of its ordinary side delivery platform, the employment of a
board or plate to act as a guard or guide, for the purpose herein before mentioned.
Second Carrying and moving such board, substantially in the manner herein
before described.
Third. The employment of a roller or rollers, substantially as described, at the
end of the ordinary side of the delivery platform to facilitate the delivery of the
crop swept off from it into the position required on the additional or binder plat-
form.
Fourth. Setting the gathering prongs or boards employed for moving the crop
along the additional or binder platform one in advance of the other, for the purpose
described.
Fifth. Making the prongs or boards readily adjustable, so that the extent to which
they are set ons in advance of the other may readily be varied.
Sixth. The employment of a board or prongs or other receptacle at the delivery
end of the binder platform which can be raised by the driver whenever he wishes
to prevent a sheaf passing off from the binder platform from being at once delivered
on to the ground.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Thomas Burgess, have herounto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty third day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.