Improvements in Harvesting Machines.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Jan., 1896-Accepted, 18th Apr., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Harvesting Machines.
I, JOHN FRANCIS APPLEBY, of 6500 Monroe Avenue Chicago, in the County
of Cook, and State of Illinois, United States of America, Civil aud Mechanical
Engineer, 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:―
My invention relates to harvesting machinery, and more particularly to that
class of harvesting machinery known as self-binders.
My invention is embodied in a self-binding harvester wherein the grain platform
is pivotally mounted in front of the ground wheels, parallel to the axle, and having
the binding mechanism, which I denominate in this Specification the "binder,"
mounted upon one end of said platform. An adjustable reel for carrying the grain
into the grasp of the sickle is pivotally mounted upon the frame work of the
machine, and said frame work is all connected and mounted so as to oscillate around
the axle of the ground wheels. Instead of employing the usual draft tongue, my
improved machine has what is denominated a push pole, that is to say, a beam,
which is pivotally connected to the axle of the machine and projects rearwardly
from the ground wheels, the draft animals being attached to the rear end of said
push pole, which also carries a driver's platform. By a system of levers, rods and
cables carried rearwardly to the driver's platform, the driver is enabled to auto-
matically control and vary the position of the platform so as to vary the height of
the stubble, and also to control the position of the reel to raise or lower it corre-
sponding to the height of grain to be cut. The throwing in and out of gear of the
sickle is also controlled from the driver's platform, as is likewise a device, called a
"butter," for moving the grain end wise in its delivery to the binder so as to square
the butts of the grain and to place them in proper position with relation to the
binding mechanism.
In my improved machine the grain platform is about fifteen feet long and the
sickle about twelve feet in length so that the machine cuts, automatically binds and
delivers out of the path of the draught animals a swath of grain twelve feet wide,
and the capacity of my improved machine is about thirty to thirty-five acres per day
under average conditions. The binding mechanism is mounted upon one end of this
long platform and occupies only about three feet of the length thereof.
My invention may be summarized under the following heads: First; the
construction and arrangement of the frame parts of the machine; second the
mounting of the binder upon the end of the long platform in front of the drive
wheels; third, the mechanism for adjusting the platform so as to vary the height
of stubble; fourth, the adjustment of the reel; fifth, the counter-balance of the
weight of the platform, binder and reel by springs arranged at the driver's
platform; sixth, the butter and means of adjusting it automatically to correspond
with the adjustment of the reel and platform; seventh, the mechanism for throwing
the packers, which form a part of the binder mechanism, into and out of gear;
eighth, means for throwing the binding mechanism itself into and out of gear;
ninth, a novel mechanism for compressing the bundle during the operation of tying
and after the packers have ceased movement; tenth, a cord holder for holding the
end of the cord and rendering the cord to the knot tying mechanism; and eleventh,
a pivoted latch for controlling the cord while it is being delivered to the knot tying
mechanism.
My invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings,
in which

page_text: Figures 1 and 2 (read together) show in perspective the machine complete and
the relation of its several parts.
Figure 3 is a plan view, a section of the push pole being broken away.
Figures 4 and 5 are detail views of a cable drum mounted on the upper end of a
standard at the driver's platform.
Figure 6 is a perspective view giving a skeleton outline of the frame parts which
are connected with the axle of the machine, the ground wheels and other parts
being omitted.
Figures 7 and 8 are broken sectional detail views of portions of the axle and
showing the bearings of rotating parts mounted thereon.
Figures 9 to 13 inclusive are views showing details of the mechanism for raising
and lowering the reel.
Figure 14 is a plan view of the binder frame, particularly intended to show the
gearing for operating the packers and binder shaft.
Figure 15 is a side elevation of the binder mechanism taken from the front of the
machine.
Figure 16 is a broken perspective view showing one of the gears by which the
packers are driven and its relation to the hub of the needle shaft.
Figure 17 is a sectional view through the packer shaft and showing a cam hub
of the needle.
Figure 18 is a side elevation from the rear side of the binder showing the
position of the several parts when the needle is at rest.
Figure 19 is a similar view showing the position of the parts when the needle
has completed its forward movement.
Figure 20 is an elevation of a locking mechanism for the compression devices,
and showing also in section the tubular frame members on which said locking
mechanism is mounted.
Figures 21 to 24 inclusive are plan views showing different positions of the knot
tying mechanism; and
Figure 25 is a perspective view of the knot tying mechanism or knotter hook.
In the accompanying drawings I have designated the several parts requiring
special description by numerals. 30, 31 Figures 1 and 3 designate the ground or
carrying wheels which are connected by the axle 32, the latter being a solid shaft,
and the wheel 30 being connected rigidly with said shaft and constituting the
driving wheel for the gearing of the machine. A tubular beam 33 Figures 3, 7
and 8 is sleeved over said axle, and short sleeve sections 34, 35 are fitted to, but
turn freely on the axle with their ends entering the ends of the sleeve 33. Said
short sleeves 34, 35 abut at their outer ends against the ground wheels 30 and 31,
which are confined upon the axle 32 by the washers 36 and pins 37 see Figure 3.
Clamps 38 Figure 6 are secured over the sleeve 33 and are perforated in the
rear of said sleeve for the passage of a pivot bolt 39. 40 represents the push
pole, which is a tubular beam and which has at its forward end perforated lugs
registering with apertures in the clamps 38, and which is pivotally connected to
said clamps by the passing of the pivot bolt 39 through the apertures of the
several lngs. A brace 41 Figures 3 and 6 extends diagonally from the push pole
at some distance back of the axle outwardly to a perforated lug 42 Figure 3
carried by a clamp on the tubular beam 33 and is pivotally connected thereto by
the short pivot bolt 43. A brace bar 44 is connected to said diagonal brace 41
and having a proper bearing on the push pole projects rearwardly of the main
drive wheel to point beyond a line parallel to the face thereof, where it carries
a gear frame 45. A narrow plate or rod 46 projects forwardly from said gear
frame parallel to the face of the drive wheel and is pivotally connected by the
pivot bolt 47 to a lug 48 on the sleeve casting 49 Figures 3 and 6 mounted upon
the outer end of the axle. It will be observed that the pivot bolts 39, 43 and 47
are in line so that there may be a hinge or rocking movement of the beam 33 with
reference to the push pole 40, its braces and connections. The push pole at its
rear end, as will be observed by reference to Figures 2 and 3, carries a driver's

page_text: platform 50. A steering wheel 51 has a vertical shank journalled in the platform
and a standard 52 is connected with said shank and rises above the platform.
The standard 52 is provided with a sleeve 53, adjustable up and down on the
standard, and having a set screw 54 for fixing it in place, and said sleeve has a
support on which is pivoted the steering arm 55, which is straddled by the
driver who controls it with his legs, but is capable of being turned with its
broad side into a horizontal plane so as to afford a seat for the driver. Upon the
upper end of said standard is mounted a drum 56 Figures 2 and 4 having an
operating crank 57 Figures 4 and 5 provided with a locking dog 58. A cable 59
Figures 2 and 3 is made fast to said drum and is extended forward to a butter,
which will be presently described.
The manner of supporting the platform with the binder mounted thereon will
now be described. Referring to Figures 3 and 6, 60 represents the platform
which is mounted upon the carrying arms 61, 62. These arms are secured at
their rear ends to the tubular beam 33 by the clips 63. These platform carrying
arms diverge slightly at their forward ends and pass beneath the platform 60, the
latter being substantially rectangular in form. A brace 64 extends from the
sleeve 49 on the axle and is connected with the platform, as shown in Figure 6.
The rear ends of these platform carrying arms and of the brace 64 are, therefore,
capable of rocking around the axle, and as the platform and the parts mounted
thereon are fixedly secured to said carrying arms, it follows that the platform
itself may be rocked around the axle.
The mechanism for suspending and rocking the platform will next be described.
There is provided (see Figure 6) two upright standards 65, 66, the standard 65
being secured with the short sleeve 34 (see Figure 7), and the standard 66 being
mounted on a clamp 67 secured on the tubular beam, being the same part having
the perforated lug 42 to which the brace 41 is connected. The upper ends of said
standards are provided with caps 68, 69. Suspension rods 70, 71 are connected at
their upper ends to said caps aud projecting forward and downward are connected
to the platform carrying arms 61, 62 at the rear edge of the platform 60; the
standards 65, 66 are morcover provided with braces 137 and 138. The upper ends
of the standards 65, 66 are connected with a tilting lever at the driver's platform
by the three pull rods 72, 73 and 74. The pull rods 72 and 73 converge at their
rear ends and are connected to the top of a swinging brace 75, said brace being of
substantially triangular form, and its members diverging toward their lower ends
and being connected pivotally to a casting 76 clamped on the push pole 40. The
pull rod 74 is provided toward its rear end with a turn-buckle 77 Figures 2 and 3
and at its extremity is connected with a yoke 78 pivoted to a rack casting 79, the
latter being fixed on the platform.
80 Figure 2 represents the platform tilting lever which has a dog S1 a lapted
to engage the teeth of the ratchet to prevent, until withdrawn, the forward
movement of the lever. The pull of the platform normally tends to hold the
yoke 78 against the rear side of the tilting lever, and in order to counter-
balance the weight of the platform the heavy extension springs 82 are connected
at their forward ends to the yoke and at their rear ends to the platform.
With the described arrangement the lowering of the platform is effected by
the withdrawal of the dog 81 from the teeth of the ratchet, whereupon the
weight of the platform and the parts supported thereby will tend to lower it,
extending the springs 82, but the springs thus extended have a powerful retractile
force which is utilized to assist the operator of the machine in elevating the platform
and its load, which is accomplished by throwing back the lever 80, thus forcing the
yoke backward and drawing upon the pull rods and upon the upper ends of the
standards and through the suspension rods raising the platform, the rocking move-
ment taking effect about the axle as its centre.
It is intended that the springs shall be of such strength and shall be so adjusted
as to perfectly counterbalance the platform and the parts supported thereby, and
provision is made for regulating the tension of such springs. By this arrangement

page_text: it is only necessary for the operator of the machine to exert sufficient force to
overcome the friction of the pivotal parts in adjusting them.
It will be observed that the push pole, the beam 33 and the standards are of
tubular construction, whereby is secured the maximum strength and lightness. It
is also to be observed that by reason of the swinging brace to which the pull rods
are severally connected, the movement of the standards must take place in right
lines, thus preventing any tilting or tipping of the platform end wise and causing it
to be raised evenly throughout its length.
I have provided in the suspension rod 71 a turn-buckle 71* Figure 6 which is
employed for the purpose of levelling the grain platform whenever such adjustment
becomes necessary in the construction or operation of the machine.
Referring again to Figures 3 and 6, the manner of mounting the recl will be
understood. The reel is supported on a frame which is mounted upon the brace
or standards 83, 84, which are supported upon the platform. These standards
support at their upper ends a pipe 85, and reel bearing arms 86, 87 have a rocking
support upon said pipe, the rear ends of said reel bearing arms projecting rearwardly
behind the pipe, and the rear end of the arm 86 being up-turned so as to clear the
drive wheel. The forward ends of the reel bearing arms 86 and 87 have journal
boxes for the reel shaft 88, Figures 1 and 3. The upturned end of the arm 86 has con-
nected to it a bent rod 89 which passes through a keeper 90 on a sleeve 91 carried
by a rod 92 extending upward from the brace 64, 64 Figure 1. The upper end of
the rod 92 is threaded and an adjusting nut 93 is turned thereou so as to provide
for manual adjustment up and down of the rear end of the reel carrying arm 86.
The bent rod 89 carries, as will be seen in Figures 9 and 10, a bell crank 94,
one end of the rod 89 passing through an apertured lug 95 on the cap 68 of the
standard 65. One arm of said bell crank is pivotally connected with one end of a
thrust rod 96, the rear end of said rod being secured to the push pole. The other
arm of the bell crank 94 is connected by a rod 97 with a pivoted bell crank 98
Figures 6 and 12 which in turn is connected by a rod 99 with one arm of a bell
crank 100, Figures 6 and 13 both of the hell cranks last mentioned being pivoted
on the rear bar 101 of the platform frame. The bell crank 100 is connected by a
rod 102 with the rear end of the reel carrying arm 87, see Figure 6 an adjusting
nut 93 Figure 11 being turned on the threaded end of said rod. Now it will be
understood that when the standards 65 and 66 are rocked or drawn back, the bell
crank 94 carried on the upper end of the standard 65 will be moved rearwardly at
its pivot but the thrust rod 96 will cause said bell crank to oscillate, and the latter
being secured to the bent rod 89 will rock said rod thus acting directly to depress
the rear end of the reel carrying arm 86, the rocking of the rod 89 being compelled
by its passing through the keeper. The oscillation of the bell crank 94 also acts
through the rod 97, bell crank 98, rod 99, and bell crank 100 and rod 102 to depress
the rear end of the reel bearing arm 87, and the reel bearing arms being pivoted
on the pipe 5, the result is that their forward ends carrying the reel are raised.
From the foregoing description it will be seen that whenever the platform is
raised or lowered, the reel will by the same movement be raised or lowered, but the
platform swings about the axle as its axis, while the reel swings upon an axis in
front of the axle and hence moves faster both in its upward and downward adjust-
ment than the platform. Stated in another way, the reel partakes of the movement
of the platform, but has an independent or added movement transmitted through
its tilting mechanism.
The binder will next be described. The term "binder" is intended to include
the mechanism which receives the grain after it has been cut by the sickle and
carried by the platform apron to the elevator apron and by the latter to the binder
proper.
The sickle is marked 103 see Figure 3 and is arranged to reciprocate in the
usual sickle bar secured along the front edge of the platform. The grain being
carried into the path of the sickle and severed falls upon the platform belt 104 and
is delivered by the elevator belt upon the grain deck 105, Figures 3, 15, 18 and 19.

page_text: The binding mechanism is mounted upon a frame, the supporting members whereof
are marked 106, Figure and said frame furnishes bearings for a driving
shaft 107, the needle shaft 108 and the binder shaft 109. The relation of these
parts is clearly shown in Figures 14 and 15, 18 and 19. The driving shaft 107 has
a main driving sprocket 110. Motion is imparted to this driving sprocket from a
large driving sprocket 111 secured to the main driving wheel 30, Figures 1 and 3.
A link belt 112 is carried over said driving sprocket and over a small gear 113 on
a short counter-shaft 114, said shaft carrying upon its end a bevel gear 115
enmeshed with a bevel pinion 116 on a short shaft 117 mounted on the gear
frame 45. A tambling rod 118 transmits a rotary motion from said short shaft to
a shaft 119 having a sprocket 120 Figure 1 from which a link belt 121 Figures 1
and 14 transmits motion to driving gear 110 on the shaft 107. Shaft 107 has also
a sprocket 122 and a link belt 123 passes from said sprocket over a large
sprocket 124 Figures 14 and 15 loosely mounted on the binder shaft. Said
sprocket 124 has an internal circular rack 125 and mechanism is provided whereby
the sprocket wheel 124 may be locked to its shaft so as to impart motion to the
latter. Said locking mechanism is actuated by a compressor arm. Said mechanism
will be best understood by reference to Figures 14, 18, 19 and 20.
The needle shaft 108 has a crank 126 Figures 18 and 19 to which is pivotally
connected a pitman 127, said pitman taking hold of a wrist pin 128 on a segmental
crank or cam 129 secured on the binder shaft 109. The wrist pin extends through
the cam crank and has pivoted thereon a dog 130, said dog being adapted to ride
upon the teeth of the internal rack 125 and being normally pressed against said
teeth by a spring 131 Figure 14. The dog is held out of engagement with the
rack teeth by a tripping mechanism which is operated by the pressure of the
forming gavel. To understand this operation it will be necessary first to describe
the manner in which the gavel is formed.
The grain is delivered upon the sloping deck 105, which is slotted and through
which works the packers 132, 133. Said packers are mounted upon a cranked
packer shaft 134, (Figure 14). Said crank shaft carries a spur gear 135 which is
intermittently driven by a spur gear 136 on the driving shaft 107. The bearing
for the end of said driving shaft is in a bell crank 139 which is pivoted on an
arm 140, Figure 16, the pivot, marked 141, having a coiled spring 142 Figure 14
with its extensions 143 and 144 bearing respectively on the frame and on one
member of said bell crank. The end of the bell crank opposite the shaft bearing
rides Jupon the hub 145 of the needle 146, said needle being secured upon the
needle shaft 108. The needle hub 145 has a raised eam 147 Figures 14, 15, 16,
which engaging the end of the bell crank 139 tends to rock the latter, thus
carrying the spur gear 136 out of mesh with the spur gear 135 on the packer
shaft 134, the disengaged positions of these gears being illustrated by the dotted
lines in Figure 15. "The purpose of this arrangement is to throw the packers out
of gear at the moment the needle commences its forward movement. The position
of the parts at the inception of the movement of the needle is illustrated in
Figure 16, where it will be observed that the forward end of the bell crank 139 is
resting upon the upper end of the cam 147. The needle shaft however derives its
movement from the locking of the large sprocket wheel 124 with the binder shaft,
and this is effected through the instrumentality of a compressor arm 148
Figures 14, 15, 19 which is rigidly mounted on a rock shaft 149 journalled parallel
to the needle shaft. This compressor arm forms an abutment against which the
grain of the forming gavel is forced by the action of the packers. Whenever the
gavel assumes a certain size, under the further pressure exerted by the packers
upon the gavel, said compressor arm will be forced back rocking its shaft. The
end of said shaft opposite the compressor arm is cranked and carries a yielding
tripping mechanism, which is well illustrated in Figure 20. Said mechanism
comprises a bolt 150 which passes into a skeleton frame 151, said frame being
provided on opposite sides of its open interior with flanges 152 to which is fitted a
sliding nut 153. The bolt 150 has threaded engagement with said nut, and a coiled-

page_text: spring 154 surrounds the bolt, having one end seated upon the button of the
frame 151 and the other impinging against the travelling nut 153. The upper end
of the skeleton frame 151 is pivotally connected to a rocking plate 160, having a
locking stop or shoulder 161 adapted to engage a rib or stop 162 of the frame.
A second plate 163 is pivoted to the frame and by pivot 164 to plate 160 and has
also a slot and pin connection therewith, the slot being marked 165 and the pin 166.
The pin 166 has a bolt 167 connected thereto, said bolt passing through a
perforated lug 168 on the plate 163. A spiral spring 169 is coiled about the outer
end of this plate and an adjusting nut 170 is turned on threads of the bolt to vary
the tension of the spring. The plate 163 has a pivoted anti-friction roller 171
rotatably mounted on a stud thereof and adapted to provide a bearing against
which the cam 129 Figures 18 and 19 operates. The coiled spring 169 normally
tends to hold the plate 163 and the plate 160 in such position that the stops 161
and 162 are in contact. In this position a shoulder 172 on plate 160 rests beneath
the point of the dog 130 normally holding it out of engagement with the rack teeth.
So long as the dog 130 is held out of engagement with the rack teeth, the packers
are in motion, constantly packing the flowing grain against the compressor arm,
forming the gavel, and the needle is at rest. During this operation of forming the
gavel, it is desirable that there shall be a capacity of yielding in the compressor
arm which is provided for by the spring 169.
Now, to put the needle shaft in motion, the dog 130 must be released. This
releasing is effected by the accumulation of the grain until sufficient pressure is
exerted on the compressor arm by the action of the packers to rock said arm which
has the effect to pull down the skeletou frame and rock the plate 160 until the
shoulder 172 thereof disengages the dog, whereupon the spring of the latter throws
it into engagement with the teeth of the circular rack 125. The result of this
engagement of the dog is the locking of the large sprocket gear 124 with the
binder shaft, and immediately the revolution of said shaft sets in the segmental
cam 129 begins its rotation, and through the pitman 127 rocks the needle shaft.
When the needle shaft begins to move the cam on its hub rocks the bell crank 139,
thus moving the free end of the driving shaft sufficiently to disengage the spur
gears 135 and 136 and the packers come to rest.
Differences in the character of the grain as to degree of solidity, owing to
different degrees of ripeness and rankness of growth, are encountered, and to
provide for these differences it is desirable to so construct and arrange the com-
pressing parts that a yielding and adjustment thereof to the resistance of the gavel
may be secured.
For this purpose the spring 154 is employed, which permits of a
certain amount of elasticity in the connection between the compressor arm shaft
and the gearing which is connected with the binder and needle shafts. This spring,
however, is of such a tension or strength that it is not affected by the action of the
packers in forming gavel, but when the needle advances thus compressing the gavel
against the compressor arm, this spring 154 permits a slight yielding to the
compressor arm. Evidently if this capacity of yielding continues throughout the
binding of the gavel a slack binding thereof will result and a further difficulty
presents itself in that the cord which surrounds the gavel is being pulled away from
or out of the knot tying mechanism, thus making it difficult to properly tie the
knot. I have provided means whereby this yielding of the compressor arm is
arrested at a certain point, namely, at the inception of the tying movement or
thereabouts, and also means whereby an additional positive compression is given to
the gavel while the knot is being tied, thus securing a tighter bound gavel and
avoiding any undue strain or pull upon the cord while the knot is being tied. To
this end mount upon the skeleton frame 151 a sliding ratchet plate 155
Figure 20, having inturned ends 1.56 through which the bolt 150 passes, this
ratchet plate being provided with ratchet teeth 157. The skeleton frame 151 has
a locking dog 158 pivoted thereon, said locking dog having a leaf spring 1.59
secured thereto aud projecting upwardly and rearwardly therefrom. As the needle
advances carrying the free col of the cord over the gavel, the segmental cam his

page_text: moved to a point where a raised portion thereof engages the anti-friction roller of
the plate 163 and the cranked end of the needle shaft impinges upon the spring 159
carried by the dog 158, throwing the latter into engagement with the ratchet
teeth 157, thus locking the ratchet plate and thereby the travelling nut and the
rod 150 against further yielding movement. The compressor arm is by this means
made rigid and as the raised portion of the segmental cam passes over the anti-
friction roller 171 the shaft carrying the compressor arm is rocked back slightly
toward its original position, thus advancing the compressor arm and effecting an
increased positive pressure upon the gavel. During the period of increased
pressure the tying of the knot is effected by means which will now be described.
The knotting mechanism will be best understood by reference to Figures 15
and 21 to 25 inclusive. Motion is imparted to the knotting mechanism from the
binder shaft 109 through a rack wheel 173 fixed on said shaft. Said rack wheel
has two rack segments concentrically arranged thereon, the outer one being
marked 174 and the inner one 175. Journalled in that part of the frame which
supports the outer end of the binder shaft and at an angle to said shaft are the
kuotter hook shaft 176 and the cord holder shaft 177. The knotter hook shaft 176
has a piniou 178 which is adapted to be engaged by the rack segment 174 and the
cord holder shaft 177 has a pinion 179 which is adapted to be engaged by the rack
segment 175. As these rack segments are short, it is obvious that said shafts will
not be in motion except during a fractional part of the revolution of the rack
wheel. The gearing is so arranged that the knotter hook shaft is given a complete
revolution at each revolution of the rack wheel, while the cord holder is given a
half revolution during such complete revolution of the rack wheel. The cord
holder has at its lower end a cross-head 180, having two up-standing arms 181
which operate in conjunction with a curved shoe 182 arranged concentric to the
axis of the cord carrier shaft and extending through a semi-circle to scize the cord,
marked 183, after it has been delivered into a notch 184 of the curved shoe and to
carry it toward the knot tying mechanism. The cord is usually carried in a ball
or spool in some convenient receptacle-say, the box 185 Figure 1 mounted on the
frame of the machine near the main driving wheel. The cord is led thence
through suitable guides to the needle, which has two eyes 186 and 187, the former
being in the rear of the point and the latter near the point of the needle. The
cord after passing from the point of the needle and furnishing the proper amount
of slack so that the gavel is formed above it is engaged in the cord holder by being
wrapped around one of the up-standing arms 181 by which it is impinged against
the curved shoe. On the lower end of the knotter hook shaft is the knotter hook,
shown in Figure 25, and consisting of the stationary jaw 188 and the pivoted
jaw 189. The latter has its rear end extended beyond its pivot and is provided
with an anti-friction roller 190. A curved spring plate 191 is secured upon the
frame of the machine and projects forwardly in the path of the roller on the pivoted
jaw of the knotter hook.
Referring to Figure 22, it will be seen that one strand of the cord rests on top
of the movable jaw of the knotter hook. Said strand passes downwardly and
rearwardly beneath the forming gavel. After the gavel is formed and the needle
advances to its forward position, as seen in Figure 15, it carries a strand of the
cord forward over the bundle and across the top of the knotter hook. Immediately
the revolution of the knotter hook sets in and when it has proceeded to the position
indicated in Figure 23, both strands of the cord are partially wrapped around both
jaws of the hook. The revolution continuing the roller 190 engages a cam 192
Figure 15 on the frame, whereby the movable jaw is opened and the two strands
of the cord extending forward to the cord carrier are grasped between the jaws, as
seen in Figure 24. As the revolution continues the portion of the cord which is
grasped by the jaws of the knotter hook is drawn through between the overlapping
strands thus forming the bow-knot shown in Figure 25.
The gearing is so timed that the hook will begin its tying movement before the
cord holder commences its revolution and this for the reason that during the initial

page_text: movement of the hook the cord slips on the hook, which usually drops, and, conse-
quently, the book does not require to be supplied or fed with cord. As the
revolution of the hook proceeds from this point both strands of the cord are flexed
and the revolution of the cord holder sets in, thus feeding forward the held end of
the cord toward the hook, while the running strand of the cord is drawn through
the needle under proper tension from the supply. After the jaws of the hook
receive the cord the spring plate 191 engages the roller 190 of the pivoted jaw,
thus tightly holding them upon the cord and preventing any slipping of the cord
through or from the jaws.
It will be observed that the cord is doubled about one of the up-standing arms
of the cord carrier, and this ensures the holding of the cord sufficiently to feed it
forward but does not prevent it from yielding or drawing slightly around the arm
to supply the demands of the hook.
A fixed knife 193 is secured in suitable position, as shown in Figure 24, to
engage and sever the strand of the cord which has been carried over by the needle,
and at the same instant that the knife severs said strand the end thus made free is
engaged by one of the up-standing arms and pressed against the curved shoe.
Thus the cord is always engaged by one of said arms and engagement takes place
at the same moment that the opposite arm frees the cord.
The needle works through a slotted breast plate 195, the slot being of irregular
form. At a point in the rear of the knotter hook shaft the body of the plate
extends in the form of a shoulder 196 into a sharply curved portion of the slot.
A latch 197 is pivoted upon the breast plate and has a hook which is adapted to
project over the shoulder 196 so as to close the slot against the passage of the cord
into the lower portion of the slot during the accumulation of the grain to form the
gavel. At one point during the tying of the knot the latch, which has been held
by the engagement of one of the cord carrying arms therewith in position to close
the slot is released and thereupon the cord drawing downwardly against the end of
said latch forces it back and passes over the shoulder into the lower portion of the
slot. The latch remains free until the needle has returned to its position of rest,
thus withdrawing the cord into the upper portion of the slot again, by which time
one of the arms of the cord carrier is engaged by the pivoted latch and again
moved so as to close the slot.
To recapitulate: The action of the various parts in the tying of the gavel is as
follows: The grain being cut with a sickle and delivered onto the grain deck is
caught by the alternately working packers and moved forwardly and packed
tightly against the compressor arm, which arm being carried by the rock shaft,
having as one of its parts the spring before described, may yield backward
slightly. As the grain accumulates and the gavel attains a size sufficient by its
pressure upon the compressor arm to trip the latter the rock shaft is turned thus
withdrawing the latching mechanism which sustains the pivoted dog out of contact
with the ratchet teeth on the large sprocket gear of the needle shaft. The dog
falls into engagement and the needle shaft, connected through the segmental cam
and the pitman with the binder shaft, and the forward movement of the needle
begins. As this movement continues the crank arm of the needle shaft strikes the
dog and forces it into engagement with the teeth of the ratchet plate of the ratchet
mechanism, thus rigidly connecting the several parts. As the movement continues
the rock shaft carrying the compressor arm is moved forward, and by the raised
portion of the cam caured to give an additional pressure to the bundle. While
this increased pressure is being given the tying of the knot is effected, and the
knotter book takes up the slack of the cord passing around the bundle, thus
effecting the tying of the knot without any strain upon the cord and also securing
a tightly bound bundle. After the knot is tied and the cord severed the discharge
arms 198, one of which is mounted upon the binder shaft and the other upon the
rack wheel, engage the bundle and cast it off at the side of the machine out of the
path of the draught animals.
In order to move the grain into proper position with reference to the binding

page_text: mechanism and to bring the butts of the stalks to an even position, I employ a
device, called a "butter," and shown in Figure 3. Said butter consists of an
endless belt 199 carried over suitable rollers, one of which is marked 200, and is
driven from the shaft 201, Figure 1, which is driven by a train of gearing put in
motion by the belt 202, (see Figure 1), and which belt also imparts motion to the
platform apron and elevator belts. The forward end of the butter is free and it
can be drawn inwardly by means of the cable 59 which is led through suitable
guides back to a sheave 203, Figure 2, at the driver's platform and is thence
extended upwardly and wound upon the drum 56. The butter is adjusted
automatically by the raising and lowering of the platform, and it may also be
adjusted manually by winding or unwinding it by means of the drum. The reel is
driven by a link belt 204 Figures 1 and 3 which passes over a driving sprocket 205
on the main axle, and a driving sprocket 206 on the reel shaft. The reel runs
continuously, but the other gearing is under control from the driver's platform.
For this purpose a clutch mechanism is mounted upon the shaft 114, Figure 3, and
consists of a member 207 formed on the hub of the driving sprocket 113 and a
sliding member 208 which is secured against rotation upon the shaft but is adapted
to slide thereon. A rod 209 is connected to this sliding member and to a bell
crank 210, the bell crank being also connected to an operating rod 211 Figures 2
and 3 which extends through the tubular push pole and is connected to a pivoted
lever 212 pivoted upon the platform and adapted to be operated by the driver's
foot. In Figure 3 the clutch is shown out of engagement. When the lever 212
is rocked through the bell crank, the sliding member of the clutch will be thrown
into engagement with the clutch member on the hub of the sprocket 113, and the
gearing which operates the sickle, the platform and elevator aprons and the various
parts of the binder mechanism will be put en train.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. In a self-binding harvester, the combination with a grain platform arranged
in front of the driving wheels, of a push pole extending rearwardly from the
driving wheels and a self-binder mounted upon one end of the grain platform,
substantially as described.
2. In a self-binding harvester, the combination with the ground wheels and their
axle, of a tubular beam sleeved upon the axle, a platform connected to the said
tubular beam, a push pole also pivotally connected to the tubular beam and
extending rearwardly therefrom and provided with a driver's platform, a tilting
lever on the driver's platform and connections between the tilting lever and the
grain platform whereby the latter may be rocked about the axle, substantially as
described.
3. In a self-binding harvester, the combination with the ground wheels and their
axle, of a tubular beam sleeved upon the axle, a grain platform connected to said
tubular beam and extending in front of and parallel to the axle, a push pole
and braces pivotally connected to the tubular beam in the rear of the axle, the line
of pivots being parallel thereto and means whereby the platform may be rocked
upon the axle, substantially as described.
4. In a self-binding harvester, the combination with the ground wheels and their
axle, of a tubular beam sleeved over the axle, a platform connected thereto and
means for rocking the platform comprising suspension rods connected to the
platform in front of the axle, pull rods connected therewith and extended
rearwardly to the driver's station, a counter-balancing spring or springs connected
with the pull rods and an operating lever for manually tilting the platform,
substantially as described.
5. In a self-binding harvester, the combination with the ground wheels and their
axle, of a tubular beam sleeved over the axle, a grain platform on which the
binding mechanism is mounted connected to said tubular beim and a tilting
B

page_text: mechanism comprising standards mounted on the tubular beam, suspension rods
connected therewith and to the platform, pull rods connected to the upper ends of
said standards and extended rearwardly to the driver's station and a swinging
brace having diverging legs and adapted to support said pull rods, substantially as
described.
6. In a self-binding harvester, the combination with the ground wheels and their
axle, of a tubular beam sleeved upon the axle, platform carrying arms clamped
upon said beam, a grain platform mounted on said arms and supporting the binding
nechanism, upright standards mounted upon said beam, suspension rods connected
to the top of said standards and to the platform, diverging pull rods connected to
the tops of said standards, a push pole hinged to the tubular beam and extending
rearwardly and supporting a driver's platform, a swinging brace having diverging
legs mounted upon said push pole and pivotally connected with the diverging pull
rods, a tilting lever mounted upon the driver's platform and a connection
between said tilting lever and the top of the swinging brace, substantially as
described.
7. In a self-binding harvester, the combination with the ground wheels and their
axle, of a grain platform arranged in front of the ground wheels and having the
binding mechanism mounted thereon, a push pole hinged to the tubular beam and
extending rearwardly therefrom and supporting a driver's platform, a reel mounted
upon the grain platform, said reel having an adjustment independent of the
platform, and means extended to the driver's station for adjusting the reel,
substantially as described.
8. In a self-binding harvester, the combination with the ground wheels and their
axle, of a tubular beam mounted thereon, a platform connected with said tubular
beam, a push pole hinged to said tubular beam and extending rearwardly therefrom,
a reel pivotally supported upon the platform and adapted to be adjusted
independently thereof, said reel having arms extended rearwardly from its pivot,
and a system of rods and levers connected to said rearwardly extended arms and
extending to the driver's station whereby the reel may be tilted, substantially as
described.
9. In a self-binding harvester, the combination with the ground wheels and their
axle, of a platform arranged in front of the ground wheels and a push pole extending
rearwardly therefrom, a binding mechanism mounted upon one end of the platform,
means for elevating the grain to said binding mechanism and a pivoted butter with
connections extending to the driver's station at the rear end of the push pole, and
means for raising and lowering the grain platform and reel and whereby the butter
is adjusted automatically when the grain platform is adjusted, substantially as
described.
10. In a harvester of the class described wherein the grain platform and binding
nechanism are mounted in front of the driving wheels and a push pole extends
rearwardly therefrom, of a driver's platform mounted upon the rear end of the
push pole, a pivoted steering wheel, a standard connected therewith and a steering
arm pivotally connected to said standard, whereby it may be turned to provide a
driver's seat, substantially as described.
11. In a self-binding harvester, the combination with intermittently operating
packers, of a vibrating needle for carrying the binding cord about the gavel, and
means whereby the packers may be thrown out of gear while the needle is in
operation, substantially as described.
12. In a binding mechanism for self-binding harvesters, the combination with a
driving shaft capable of a slight lateral movement at one end thereof and having a
gear thereon, a packer shaft having a co-working gear, a needle shaft and a needle
and mechanism intermediate the needle shaft and the driving shaft whereby the
latter may be moved to disengage said gears and arrest the movement of the
packers while the needle is in operation, substantially as described.
13. In a self-binding harvester, the combination with a driving shaft and gearing
for continuously driving it, of a binder shaft for operating the knotting mechanism,

page_text: a pivoted compressor arm, packers, and gearing between the driving shaft and the
packer shaft and gearing between the driving shaft and the binder shaft, said
gearing being adapted to be put in motion by the pressure of the gavel upon the
compressor arm effected by the packers which are thereby thrown out of gear,
substantially as described.
14. In a self-binding harvester, the combination with a driving shaft, of a binder
shaft for driving the knot tying mechanism, a pivoted compressor arm, a vibrating
needle, gearing between the driving shaft and the binder shaft, means operated by
the compressor arm for controlling said gearing, and means for effecting an
increased pressure upon the gavel while the knot tying mechanism is in operation,
substantially as described.
1. In a self-binding harvester, the combination with a constantly rotating
driving shaft having a sprocket gear thereon, of a binder shaft having a sprocket
gear loosely mounted thereon, a belt carried over said sprocket wheels, the binder
shaft sprocket having a circular rack and the binder shaft carrying a segmental
cam and a pivoted dog, a needle shaft having a crauked end and a pitman
connecting the segmental cam with the needle shaft crank, a compressor arm
mounted upon a rock shaft and said rock shaft having a sliding bolt connected
therewith, a spring normally sustaining said bolt, a rocking plate pivotally
connected to said bolt and adapted to hold the dog out of contact with the circular
rack and the compressor arm being adapted when rocked under the pressure of the
ferming gavel to release the dog whereby it is engaged with the circular rack and
the binder shaft is put in gear with the driving shaft, substantially as described.
16. In a self-binding harvester, the combination with a constantly rotating
driving shaft, of a binder shaft adapted to be intermittently driven therefrom,
a segmental cam mounted upon the binder shaft and having a raised portion, a
needle shaft having a crank end, a pitman connecting said crank to the segmental
cam, a ratchet and pawl mechanism for connecting the binder shaft and the
segmental cam, a compressor arm and a rock shaft on which said compressor arm
is mounted, a crank upon said rock shaft, a spring sustained bolt connected with
said crank and a skeleton frame in which said bolt slides, a ratchet plate adapted
to slide upon said skeleton frame and a pivoted dog mounted on the frame and
adapted to be engaged with said ratchet plate whereby to lock said parts against
yielding during the tying of the knot simultaneous with the increased pressure
effected by the raised portion of the cam, substantially as described.
17. In a self-binding harvester, the combination with an intermittently vibrating
needle adapted to carry one strand of the cord over the gavel, of a cord holler
and carrier comprising a rotating shaft having a cross head with up-standing arms
and a curved shoe, said cord holder being adapted to engage the cord by one of its
up-standing arms and carry it toward the knotting hook, substantially as described.
18. In a self-binding harvester, the combination with a vibrating cord carrying
needle, of a cord bolding mechanism comprising a rotatable shaft having a cross
head thereon and up-standing arms arranged on opposite sides of the cord holder
shaft, a curved shoe arranged concentric to the path of the arms, and said arms
being adapted to successively engage the cord and carry it toward the knotting
hook, the engagement being effected by one arm simultaneous with the release of
the cord by the other arm, substantially as described.
19. In a self-binding harvester, the combination with a knot tying mechanism
comprising a knotter hook shaft and means for intermittently driving it, said
knotter book having a fixed jaw and a movable jaw, of a cam for rocking the
movable jaw on its pivot whereby to open it to receive the cord and a spring plate
adapted to hold the movable jaw closed after the cord is engaged, substantially as
des ribed.
20. In a self-binding harvester, the combination with a slotted breast plate
through which the cord is carried to the knotter, said slot having a shoulder
projecting therein, of a latch pivoted on the breast plate, a rotating cord holder
adapted to hold said plate in position to cover the slot during one part of the knot

page_text: tying operation and the cord being adapted to turn the plate on its pivot whereby
to uncover the slot at the beginning of the knot tying operation, substantially as
described.
Dated this 7th day of January 1896.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.