AN IMPROVED DIBBLING MACHINE
Year: 1845

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, CHARLES
LAMPITT, of Banbury, in the County of Oxford, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Fourth day of September, in the ninth year of Her reign, did,
for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Charles Lampitt, my exors, admors, and assigns, Her especial licence, full
power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said Charles Lampitt, my exors,
admors, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Charles Lampitt, my exors,
admors, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time
to time and at all times during the term of years therein expressed, should
and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales,
and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention for "AN IMPROVED
DIBBLING MACHINE;" in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso that I,
the said Charles Lampitt, shall cause a particular description of the nature
of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be enrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said in part recited
Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being thereunto had, will
more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Charles Lampitt, hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention, and
in what manner the same is to be performed, are particularly described

page_text: in and by the present Specification thereof, reference being had to the
Drawings hereunto annexed, that is to say:-
Figure 1, Sheet I., represents an elevation of my said improved dibbling
machine, on the lines a, a, b, b, of Figure 3 and of Figure 2. Figure 2 is an
end elevation of it, partly in section, on the line c, c, d, d, of Figure 3. A is
a wheel mounted on an axis A', which has its bearings in the sides of a lever
frame B, of an oblong form. At one end this lever is attached by a hinge
joint to a horizontal cross bar C, on which it turns freely, which bar is upheld
by two vertical rods or links dropped from a wooden frame C, which is
mounted on wheels, and carries the entire apparatus. From the other end of
the lever frame a chain D, which passes freely through a hole (p') in the end
of the frame, is carried upwards and made fast to a roller E, the axis of which
is supported by two standards H, H, raised on the frame C. When the
machine is at work, and there is no strain upon the chain D, a portion of it
hangs slack from below the hole p', and when a pull is required to be made
upon it, it is prevented from passing through the hole by a stop block d, at
the end of it. M is a curved bar of iron, which is secured by. adjustable
screws to a cross bar L, L, fixed immediately beneath the roller E, and
passes through another hole p in the end of the lever frame, serving as a guide
to that frame, when motion is given to it, as afterwards explained. B' is a
set box, which is made fast by a pin to the top of the cross bar C, in the space
immediately between the two sides of the lever frame B, which sides are
allowed to work freely against the ends of the box. Round the rim of the
wheel A there are a number of solid dibbles placed at equal distances. (Three
only of these dibbles are shewn in the Drawing, Figure 1, and marked
No. 1, No. 2, No. 3.) Each dibble is fixed to and cast in the same piece with
the rim of the wheel. A recess is cut out of it at one side of sufficient size
to allow the seed tumbler T to fit into it. This seed tumbler consists of
a hollow case, which turns on the pivot d, and works through a slot in the
periphery of the wheel. The form given to it at the bottom end, and also at
the back part a³, is that of an arc of a circle, struck from the point d as a
centre. In the bottom of this tumbler there is an aperture a¹ for the escape
of the seed, which, when the tumbler rests in the recess made for it in the
side of the dibble, is thereby closed. Views of the dibble and seed tumbler
combined, of the full size, are given separately in Sheet II., Figures 1, 2, 3, 4,
and 5. Figure 1 is a side elevation; Figure 2, a plan; Figure 3, an end
view; and Figure 4, a back view. Arms or levers C, C', are cast on the top
of the seed tumbler, one (C) for withdrawing it from the recess in the dibble,
and the other (C¹) for moving it back into that recess.
A steel roller e, by

page_text: which these levers C, C¹, are alternately acted upon, turns on a pin e', which
is made fast to the under end of a rod f, the upper end f¹ of which encircles
an eccentric f, the axis f³ of which is passed through one of the sides of the
lever frame B. F, Fig. 2 and 4, Sheet 2, shews a stop attached to the levers
C, C', the object of which is to prevent the tumblers from shifting too far.
From the projecting end of the axis f³ a lever g is thrown out, to the end of
which is attached a chain h, which is carried upwards to and wound upon the
pulley E, passing in its course over a loose guide pulley ¹, mounted in a
carriage, which traverses freely in a slot in the cross bar L, L, before men-
tioned. The bottom end of the excentric rod f is kept in a proper position
to act through the roller e on the seed tumbler levers C¹, C², by means of two
ear pieces i, cast on the end of an arm i, projected downwards from the lever
frame B. Views of the excentric and the gearing connected therewith of the
half size are given separately in Figures 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 of
the Drawings, Sheet III. Figure 11 is a front view; Figure 12, an edge or
side view; Figure 13, a plan, shewing the relative portions of the excentric
arm f, the lever frame arm i, and the ear pieces ; Figure 14, a side elevation
of the ear pieces 3,2; Figure 15, a sectional elevation, shewing the roller e,
arm i, and excentric pin and lever; Figure 16, a side view of the lever g; and
Figure 17, a back view, shewing the bottom end of the arm i, rod f', and
roller e. F, Figure 1, Sheet I., is a hopper for the supply of seed to the seed
tumblers T, having a grating in it G, to prevent any foreign substance from
passing through. The narrow end of this hopper is inserted into a box nº, in
which a roller n is enclosed, the periphery of which has a series of semicircular
recesses or cups c, c, sunk in it, each of which is of capacity just sufficient
to contain the quantity of seed required to be deposited in each hole made by
the dibble. A delivery tube or spout m conducts the seed from the roller to the
tumber T. The side of the box n is moveable, in order that the feed roller n may
be removed when one with larger or smaller holes in it than that previously in
use is required. The roller is attached to one end of a revolving spindle n',
which passes through the side of the box n, and is supported towards the
other end by a carriage n², immediately behind which there is fixed (on the
spindle) a bevil pinion o, which takes into a bevil wheel o', projecting from
the arms of the wheel A. A brush n', (see Figure 2, Sheet I.,) which is
secured by an adjustable screw to the side of the box by a pin no, is set so as
to act against the outside of the feed roller, and keep the holes clear for the
escape of the seed.
A small metal roller r, called the closing roller, (of which
a view is given separately in Figure 18, Sheet III.,) turns freely on an axis ',
which is passed through one side of the lever frame B. s is a flat bar of iron,

page_text: one end of which is made fast to the frame B, and the other to the bottom of
the arm (before mentioned). The outer edge of this bar is shaped to a
circle, struck from the point A' as a centre, and is placed in a lateral line with
the roller r, and set a little within the outer edge of the same, so as to keep clear
of the lever C' of the seed tumbler after it has been closed by and passed the
'roller, excepting only when there is a tendency in the tumbler to open, when
the bar acts as a check to its opening, to any appreciable extent till it arrives
again at the opening roller r. Across the mouth of the delivery tube m there
are two tin plates m', m³, placed inclining towards each other, as shewn in
Figures 3, 4, 6, 7, Sheet II., for the purpose of preventing any grain from
being thrown out, which from accident or any other cause may not be duly
delivered by the tumbler. As the tumbler is turned upside down by the
rotation of the wheel, any grain that may have remained in the tumbler falls
'down upon the plate m', and is deflected by that into the cavity behind m²,
where it remains till the tumbler again points downwards, on which the plate
m² serves to direct it downwards into the delivery tube m. To keep the rim
of the wheel free from any adhering soil, there is a scraper j made use of,
which is worked by means quite independent of those employed for giving
motion to the tumblers, and also quite independent of the action of the dibbles.
This scraper and its parts are shown separately in Figures 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12,
Sheet II. Figure 8 is a side elevation of it; Figure 9, a plan; and Figure 10,
a section on the line a, b, of Figure 9. The scraper j is made fast to the end
of a spindle j by a triangular nut, on the other end of which spindle there is
a bevil toothed pinion k, driven by a wheel k', which is bolted to the arms of
the wheel A, Figures 1, 2, 3. Each scraper consists of three radiating leaves
or pieces of the peculiar form shewn, the pitch of which is made to correspond
with the pitch of the dibbles at the rim of the wheel. The points of the leaves
from the pitch line are made portions of a circle, and the portion below the
pitch line is made hollow in order that it may fit the dibbles. The face of the
scraper is made concave to fit the rim of the wheel. The triangular nut j³ is
set with the arrises opposite the openings betwixt the leaves of the scraper, so
that any soil or dirt which may have been removed by the scraper from the
wheel and brought upon the nut is either cut through or thrown off from it.
The scraper is, moreover, made sufficiently large to allow of a cutting edge
being given to the parts between the nut and the bottoms of the openings
between the leaves of the scraper. On the spindle j' two bearings are raised
for two carriages 1, 1, which are made fast to the lever frame B. A sheet iron
casing t encloses all the parts which have been before described as coming
within the circumference of the wheel, for the purpose of protecting them from

page_text: dirt, (as shewn in Figure 4, Sheet I.) To enable the wheel to be raised or
lowered at pleasure, the means indicated by the letters N, N1, N2, and K are
provided, (see Figures 1 and 2.) N is a spur wheel keyed on the shaft of the
roller E; N', a pinion which takes into the spur wheel N; and N* the axis of
the pinion N', which terminates in a square head, to which a crank handle
may be applied. On giving motion to these wheels, that causes the roller E
to revolve and wind up the chain D, which raises the end J¹ of the lever
frame B, and with it the wheel A, and when so raised it may be kept at any
height desired by means of a pall dropped from the shaft of the roller E,
and taking into a ratchet wheel K. on the spindle of the pinion N¹.
The action of the machine is as follows:-When the seed tumblers are
within the recesses of the dibbles, and so closed, they are in the position
represented at Number 1 in Figure 1, Sheet I., the aperture x in the bottom
of the tumbler being shut by coming against the entire or solid face of the
dibble. By the rotation of the wheel the dibbles are successively thrust into
the ground, and while they are in the act of being withdrawn, the inclined
levers c, c', catching against the roller e, are thereby depressed, which causes the
tumblers T to move round on their respective pins d, d, so that as soon as each
tumbler has passed under the roller e it takes the position shewn at Number 2,
Figure 1, Sheet I., and by the dotted lines in Figure I., Sheet II., that is to
say, the tumbler being withdrawn from its seat in the side of the dibble, the
seed drops from it through the now open aperture a¹ into the hole just made
in the soil by the dibble. The dibble then passes on till it arrives at the point
Number 3 in the circle of rotation, when the other inclined arm C³, catching
now against the roller r, causes the tumbler to resume the position shewn at
Number 1 in Figure 1, Sheet 1, when it is ready to receive another supply of
seed from the feed roller n and delivery pipe m. On coming to the head of
any piece of land which is in the course of being dibbled and sown, the
machine is hoisted from the ground by means of the chain D and roller E, as
before explained. During this operation one or two tumblers must necessarily
pass under the roller e and be left open, and on turning the machine to
proceed down the land or in the backward direction, these open tumblers
coming into contact with the soil would be liable to become choked, were this
not prevented by the operation of the eccentric f³. The chain h, which is
connected to the outer end of the eccentric lever g, being drawn tight, while
the chain D has a portion of slack hanging below the lever B; the consequence
is, that on turning round the roller E, (which is common to both chains) the
eccentric lever g is raised by the chain h up to the point y before the slack of
the chain d has been drawn through the hole p' in the lever frame B, and the

page_text: further ascent of that chain arrested by the stop block d. The raising of the
lever g turns the eccentric f round a portion of a revolution, and the eccentric
carries forward with it the rod f¹ and the opening roller e to a distance
sufficient to clear the inclined lever C. The tumblers, being now released from
the operation of the roller e, pass without opening, and the operation of raising
the two levers C, C¹, proceeds simultaneously with nearly equal velocities.
The chains are so adjusted as not to allow more than one or two tumblers to
pass during the operation of hoisting. On the machine being lowered the
levers proceed nearly together, till the dibbles Number 1 and 2, carring with
them the tumblers seated in their respective recesses, and thereby closed, strike
the ground. The chain D then returns freely through the lever frame B and
slackens, while the eccentric lever 9 and with it the roller e is brought down
to its original position by the counterpoise z, the lever being prevented from
descending too far by coming against a stud v projecting from the lever
frame B. To the lever frame B a spring z¹ is made fast, which catches the
lever g in its descent, and prevents it from striking with injurious force against
the stud v. The operation of opening and closing the tumblers then proceeds
as before. By working the scraper independently of the dibbles in the manner
before described, the rapid wear which would otherwise take place from the
rubbing of the scraper and dibbles one against the other is prevented, and a
thinner edge can be given to the scraper, which enables it more easily to
penetrate and remove any soil which may adhere to the rim of the wheel or to
the dibbles. In the scrapers of the dibbling machines hitherto in use, which
are moveable on fixed pins, and worked solely by the action of the dibbles
against them, it is found necessary to give the scraper an edge of considerable
thickness to prevent the rapid wear of the dibbles, and the consequence is, that
in dibbling stiff soils where scrapers are most needed, the soil which adheres
to the dibbles and the rim of the wheel, instead of being cut through and
removed, becomes solidified, and has a tendency to jamb the scrapers against
both the dibbles and the wheel, whereby a great strain is thrown upon the
machine, and an increased amount of power required to work it. All these
evils are obviated by the independent plan of working the scrapers before
described.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I declare that the parts of the said
dibbling machine which I claim as improvements are,―
First, the constructing of it with tumblers for the delivery of the seed, as
before described.
Second, the mode of opening and closing the tumblers by means of the

page_text: Enrolled the Fourth day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and forty-six.