IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CUTTING THE EDGES OF GRASS LAWNS
Year: 1884

page_text: We, JAMES EDWARD RANSOME, Engineer, and GEORGE LING, Foreman, both of
Ipswich do hereby declare the nature of our invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR CUTTING THE EDGES OF GRASS LAWNS to be as follows:-
»
This Invention has for its object improvements in apparatus for cutting the
edges of grass lawns.
For this purpose the roller of such machines is made with part of its length at
that end of it at which the cutters are carried parallel or approximately so whilst
the opposite end is made in the form of a rounded cone. A pair of handles is
secured to the ends of the axis one to each end. By means of these handles the
machine can not only be propelled and guided but in addition the roller can owing
to its rounded form be tilted and the cutters which are carried at its larger end can
thereby be raised and the depth of cut readily adjusted.
Inside the roller near its wider end is fixed an internally toothed wheel. The axis
of the roller is passed through the centre of the rounded end of the roller and
through the central hub of this wheel. On the end of the axis outside this wheel is
fixed a disc which approximately closes the end of the roller-To the disc is
secured one of the handles above mentioned and also a fixed cutter blade-the
blade projects downwards radially or approximately so from the disc and also
inclines somewhat forwards. The disc also carries in front of the fixed blade a
bearing in which a short spindle is mounted parallel with and below the axis of
the roller.-On the inner end of the spindle is fixed a toothed pinion which gears
with the internally toothed wheel inside the roller. On the outer end of the
spindle are four or other number of arms which at a short distance from the axis
extend from it tangentially. Each arm has screwed or bolted to it a cutter blade
the flat sides of the blades lie parallel with the spindle whilst one of their side edges
is made to pass close up to the edge of the fixed blade when the spindle is revolved.
In this way friction is avoided between the fixed blade and the blades of the
revolving cutter and in addition as each blade of the revolving cutter is detachable
it can be readily adjusted to work close to the fixed knife or can be taken off and
ground separately.
Tuted this 4th low of Aunil 100%.
CARPMAEL & Co.,
Agents for the Applicants.

page_text: We JAMES EDWARD RANSOME Engineer and GEORGE LING, Foreman, both of
Ipswich do hereby declare the nature of our invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR CUTTING THE EDGES OF GRASS LAWNS," and in what manner the
same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
This invention relates to that class of machine intended for cutting and trimming
the overhanging grass from the edges of lawns in which the trimming of the grass
is effected by revolving cutters coming in contact with a fixed knife which is kept
against the edge to be trimmed and in which the revolving cutters are driven from
a driving roller which runs on the lawn or verge.
The roller of such machines we make with part of its length at that end of it at
which the cutters are carried parallel or approximately so whilst the opposite end
we make in the form of a rounded cone. A pair of handles is secured to the ends
of the axis one to each end. By means of these handles the machine can not only
be propelled and guided but in addition the roller can owing to its rounded form be
tilted and the cutters which are carried at its larger end can thereby be raised and
the depth of cut readily adjusted.
Inside the roller near its wider end we fix an internally toothed wheel.-The-axis-
-of-the-roller-we-pass-through the centre of the rounded end of the roller and
through the central hub of this wheel. On the end of the axis outside this wheel
we fix a disc which approximately closes the end of the roller-To the disc wo
secure one of the handles above mentioned and also a fixed cutter blade-the blade
we make to project downwards radially or approximately so from the disc and also
to incline somewhat forwards. We also form the disc with a bearing in front of the
fixed blade in which bearing we mount a short spindle parallel with and below the
axis of the roller. On the inner end of the spindle we fix a toothed pinion to gear
with the internally toothed wheel inside the roller. On the outer end of the
. spindle we fix four or other number of arms which at a short distance from the
axis extend from it tangentially. On to the arms we screw or bolt cutter blades
the flat sides of which lie parallel with the spindle whilst one of their side edges is
made to pass close up to the edge of the fixed blade when the spindle is revolved.
In this way fiction is avoided between the fixed blade and the blades of the
revolving cutter and in addition as each blade of the revolving cutter is detachable
it can be readily adjusted to work close to the fixed knife or can be taken off and
ground-separately.
The machine will be better understood by reference to the Drawings.
Figure 1 shows a plan view-Figure 2 a section and Figure 3 a side elevation of
the machine. Figures 4 shew on a larger scale one of the blades of the revolving
cutter and the arm which carries the blade. Figure 5 shows a slight modification
of the form of the roller to suit the edges of slopes, and Figures 6 and 7 the same
_machine as Figure 2 but shewing its position when cutting edges of less depth.
The same letters indicate the same parts in the several Drawings.
It is the driving roller which by preference is corrugated on the exterior and
which has an internal ring of teeth fixed within it.
A is the axle upon which the roller R runs it passes through a bearing at the
smaller end of the roller and through the disc which carries the internal ring of
teeth fixed near the larger end of the roller. P is the side plate or disc fixed to the
axle and which closes in the larger open end of the drum. H are the handles one
fixed to the side plate P and the other secured to the end of the axle A which

page_text: projects beyond the smaller end of the drum. B is the fixed cutter blade secured
to the side plate P, and C is the revolving cutter the spindle of which turns in a
bearing carried by this side plate and has a pinion upon it which gears with the
internal ring of teeth within the drum. The fixed blade has by preference a
turned up cutting edge similar to that on the bottom plate of ordinary lawn mowers
but it might be made flat if desired to cut the edges closer-The revolving cutter is
by preference formed with four arms and is fixed in position on the spindle by a
feather and nut-to these arins the knives K are attached by set screws-the
screws pass through slots in the knives as shown in Figure 4 so as to admit of
adjustment to the fixed blade B.
In Figure 2 the fixed knife and revolving cutter are shewn arranged in a line
parallel with the side plate to cut a square edge at right angles with the surface
of the lawn but when desired the knives can be placed at an angle so as to cut a
bevilled edge in which case the knives are fixed at an angle with the axle of the
cutter C.
In place of the knife blades K being arranged at right angles to the fixed blade
they might but less advantageously be fixed parallel with this blade-they would
in this case be attached to the inner side of the carrying arms and be adjusted to
the fixed blade by set screws or other convenient means. When the apparatus is
to be used for cutting the edges of slopes the roller R may as shewn at Figure 5 be
made shorter than shewn at Figures 1 and 2 so as to obviate the necessity of
having the cutter blades of an undue length.
In Figure 6 and by the dotted lines marked Figure 7 two positions of the
machine shewn at Figures 1 and 2 are given shewing different depths of edges
cut-the machine being for that purpose held at different angles.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is :-
1. The construction of the driving roller of apparatus for cutting the edges of
grass lawns with a rounded or bowl shaped end substantially as described.
2. Tho construction of the revolving knife of apparatus for cutting the edges of
grass lawns with each of its cutting blades readily removed and separately
adjustable to the fixed knife substantially as described.
3. The construction of the revolving knife of apparatus for cutting the edges of
grass lawns with the cutting blades of the revolving cutter at right angles to the
fixed knife and separately adjustable up to this fixed knife substantially as
described.
4. The construction of apparatus for cutting the edges of grass lawns substantially
ns herein before described and illustrated in the Drawing annexed.
55
1004
CARPMAEL & Co.,
Agents for the Applicants.