Year: 1888

page_text: 1, GEORGE MARSHALL CLARK, of Higganum, in the County of Middlesex, and
State of Connecticut, United States of America, Manufacturer, 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 :-
In all seeding contrivances, agitators of some kind are necessarily employed for
securing a proper delivery of seed through the apertures or ducts leading from the
seed box, and as a rulo a revolving shaft is employed in or so nearly adjacent to the
seed box that it may carry or bo operatively coupled to the agitators. This shaft has
been rotatively operated in various ways, from some revolving portion of a harrow
or soil working apparatus, or from a roller attached thereto, and endless drive
chains have been relied upon for the communication of power to the seed box
shaft.
In such seeding apparatus as involve fixed relations between the seed box shaft, and
the revolving axle from which said shaft is driven, no serious difficulties are attendant
upon the use of either gear wheels or drive chains, but in all instances wherein
variations constantly occur in said relations while the machine is in service, as well as
when such variations are due to adjustments of the soil working parts, it has always
heretofore been deemed necessary to employ a considerable length of drive chain,
with much normal "slack," and means whereby said "slack may be taken up or
yielded, as by means of spring or weighted chain tightening devices.

page_text: The said variations are specially observable in seeders embodying what are known
as revolving disc harrows, having disc axles which are angular to each other, and in
which each disc axle has more or less freedom of movement independently of the seed
box, and it is in connection with that type of soil working apparatus that I have advan-
tageously employed my present improvements whether the soil working devices be
plain discs, or certain bladed discs disclosed in my Letters Patent No. 369, 163
August 30th 1887; and I have also found that an ordinary toothed harrow, if provided
with a roller can be made to perform fairly good service in seeding. by mounting a
seed box on the harrow, and coupling the agitator of said box with the roller by
means of a drive chain applied in accordance with my present invention, one of my
objects being to provide driving mechanism which may he applied for operating a seed
box, in connection with many of such soil working machines as necessarily afford the
requisite rotary motion, as well as to such as may be readily provided with a roller to
operate not only as a soil surfacer, or seed coverer, but also for operating the
seed box agitator or other mechanism which may be carried in the seed box.
Another object of my invention is to avoid any actual necessity for slack chain, and
hence to obviate such tightening contrivances as have been heretofore required for
taking up and controlling the variable slack in drive chains as heretofore organized,
but to nevertheless provide for reliable service regardless of all such variations in
position and adjustment, as are liable to occur, and are desirable as between the source
of rotary motion and the seed box mechanism.
I attain these ends by means of a jointed drive chain frame, interposed between the
seed box shaft which is to be rotated, and the revolving source of motion. This drive
chain frame is jointed centrally, and in its best form is provided at its principal joint,
with a single wheel having two sprocket grooves, so as to accommodate two separate
drive chains. At one end of said frame it is pivotally yoked upon the seed box shaft,
and on the latter there is a sprocket wheel. At the opposite end it is pivotally supported
upon the revolving shaft from which the rotary motion is derived, and said shaft is
provided with a main or driving sprocket wheel, and two endless chains are used, one
for connecting the main sprocket wheel with the ceniral or frame wheel and the
other for connecting said central wheel with the sprocket wheel on the seed box shaft.
With this jointed chain frame, both chains can always be maintained free from slack
and at a uniform and desirable degree of tension, and compensation is amply pro-
vided for, because the central sprocket wheel will always maintain precisely the
same operative relations with reference to the two sprocket wheels at the ends of
the frame, regardless of the vertical variations in the position of said central wheel,
incident to variable positions assumed by the main sprocket wheel, and its axis or
driving axle, either during the operation of seeding, or as a result of the adjust-
ment of the soil working devices: This jointed chain frame may be variously
constructed and arranged without impairing its capacity for effective service, and
without departure from the main feature of my invention, but I have devised my
frame So that in its best form it can be readily applied and removed from
harrow. I have also provided it with means for keeping the main sprocket wheel
from being unduly clogged with earth, roots, or stones. I have also so constructed
said frame as to provide for a free torsional or twisting movement, between the
main and the central sprocket wheels, and still further for a desired freedom as to
lateral vibration; and, still further, for elongating a portion of the frame
all of
;
said features contributing to efficiency in operation, and to the convenience of
parties using my improvements.
or at
au
In applying power to seed box shaft, it has heretofore been common to connect
the driving gearing to one or both ends of the shaft, outside of the ends of the seed
box, but I have provided the box with a recess which affords access to the seed box
shaft for the driving gearing, and as this recess can be located centrally, any
other desired point between the two ends of the seed box, F am enabled to locate sai
driving gearing at any point on a disc axle, for instance, instead of being restricted
to the outer end of said axle, but my jointed chain frame, either in its best form, or in
one of its simpler forms may be used, regardless of its location with reference to th

page_text: ends of the disc axle, or the ends of the seed box, as will hereinafter be made fully
apparent.
In the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 is a side view illustrating a bladed tooth harrow, provided with a seed box,
and with my jointed chain frame in its best form.
Figure 2 illustrates the same in rear view.
Figure 3 is a side view illustrating my jointed chain frame detached, but as if coupled
to a seed box shaft and a driving shaft.
Figure 4 illustrates the same as Figure 3, but in rear view.
Figure 5 illustrates the base portion of the chain frame in partial section and also
in top view.
Figure 6 illustrates my chain frame as applied to a seed box carried on a toothed
harrow frame, and provided with a roller for operating the seed box shaft.
Figure 7 illustrates a simple form of my jointed chain frame applied to one end of a
sced box shaft, and to an adjacent end of a disc axle or shaft.
Figure & in section illustrating the upper end of one of my frames, with the sprocket
wheel which engages with the seed box shaft arranged to be readily applied to and
removed from said shaft when in two parts or sections.
Roferring to Figures 1 and 2 it will be obvious that no description need be given
of the earth working devices, other than to note that the axles A revolve as a result of
moving the machine while in service, and that they have a capacity for more or less
vertical and horizontal movement independently of the movement of the seed box B. Of
the seed box, it will be understood that it may be carried by or mounted upon a soil
working machine in any desired manner, and he provided with seed tubes as shown, or
with a distributing board, as indicated in dotted lines Figure 1, or arranged to drop seed
directly to the ground, and also that it is immaterial as to the character of the internal
agitating or valve operating mechanism, so long as a revolving shaft a is provided
within or so nearly adjacent to said box, as to enable it to operate said mechanism.
I find it desirable to employ a strong seat standard C in this general variety of
machines, and to mount the seed box detachably thereon, and to provide it with readily
detachable steadying braces or chains, as indicated respectively at b and c.
The power may be applied to the seed box shaft at either of its ends, or near the
middle thereof, but under this latter arrangement, I provide near the seat standard a
recess, as at d, in the lower portion of the seed box, so that it will be traversed by the
shaft a, so as to afford access thereto for driving it by means of power derived from
one of the axles A near its inner end.
So far as relates to merely operating the seed box shaft, it is immaterial whether
power be applied to said shaft at one end or centrally, but this latter arrangement is
novel with me, and of considerable practical value in that the drive chain and the
sprocket wheels being located centrally in the machine are well protected against
contact with obstructions and the weight of the drive chain and the sprockets is
more evenly distributed than when carried at the outer ends of an axle and
seed box.
I
The jointed chain frame D in one of its simplest forms consists of two sections
jointed as at e coupled to or supported by an axle at A at its lower end and hinged to
or supported by a seed box shaft a at its upper end, and has at the joint e a double
grooved intermediate sprocket wheel geared by means of enless chains and h
respectively to the main sprocket wheel i, and to the sprocket wheel on the seed box
shaft. The upper part or section of this frame is here shown in its simplest possible
form being composed of two parallel side pieces, each having a hole at each end, for
occupation respectively by the seed box shaft a, and the axial pivot bolt e.
This pivot
bolt e serves as the axis for the frame sprocket wheelf, but the pivotal effect may bo
secured by means of a separate bolt or stud, and said sprocket wheel may be mounted
on its own axial bolt at either side of the pivotal point within a reasonable distance
therefrom without materially affecting the operation of the chains or departing from
my invention.
The lower section of said frame may also be very simple in its construction, as for

page_text: instance, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 4 composed of side pieces, and a central
cross bar, all integral if desired and having at its upper end suitable holes for said
pivot bolt e, and at its lower end suitable means for operatively connecting it with or
mounting it upon the axle A, and affording a central space for the main sprocket
wheel i.
In its best form, however, this lower portion of the frame is constructed in two
parts m and n, thus forming a three part frame. The middle part m is bifurcated to
afford space for the intermediate wheel and bearings for the joint pivot bolt e its lower
end being a screw threaded siem m¹ provided with a nut m³. The threaded stem
and the nut therein provide for a longitudinal extension of that portion of the
frame, and the stem affords a swivelling movement between the base and the middle
parts.
The lower or base part n is also bifurcated so as to straddle the main sprocket wheel i
and to bear securely and firmly with its concave bearings upon the hub, of said wheel,
which in this form of machine ordinarily serves as a thimble between two discs and is
clamped firmly so as to rotate with the axle A. The lower end of the base part n is
provided with projecting fingers n', parallel with the driving sprocket wheel, which
serve as guards or clearing fingers for preventing an undue accretion of earth or weeds
upon said wheel and the chain. A sprocket wheel clearer o is secured to the frame,
it being a stationary but adjustable blade-like finger, projecting fully into the central
space or groove between the lugs of said wheel, thus preventing it and the chain
from becoming unduly clogged. The upper end of the base portion of the frame
is provided with a hollow stem n² having an interior oval outline laterally and also
tapered sides as clearly indicated, for free occupation, by the threaded stem m³ of
the upper or middle part m, so that the latter may swivel freely and also swing
laterally to a desirable extent, independently of the lower or base portion. At the
lower end of the stem on the latter may be laterally bored for the reception of a
stop pin if desired, thus uniting the two parts of this portion of the frame against
separation, when detached from a machine. The drive chains g and h here shown
It will be
may or may not be provided with open links to admit of their removal.
seen that when the chain is applied to the main sprocket wheel and the central
sprocket wheel the two parts of the frame m and n will be inseparable while
capable of free torsional or swivelling movement and also have ample lateral flexibility to
provide for wide variations in the position of the main sprocket wheel with reference
to the intermediate frame wheel, without impairing the even tension or the operative
relations of the chain g with either of its sprocket wheels, and it will also be seen
that by turning the nut m² said wheels may be separated and thus enable any desirable
tension to be applied to the drive chain h. While this peculiar construction and
combination of the parts m and n involves certain specific portions of my invention,
some of the advantages thereof will accrue with the simpler forms of jointed frame,
by providing for free motion at the joint e so as to afford a twisting or torsional
movement of the lower portion of the frame to a more or less desirable degree,
without impairing the capacity of the frame as a chain supporting and controlling
medium.
It will be sometimes desirable to so construct and mount the wheel in the frame
that it may be readily applied to and removed from the seed box shaft, as for instance,
as shown in Figure S wherein the two side-pieces of the upper part of the frame
are shown in section and the hub of the sprocket wheel is journalled therein. This
hub is provided with an axial opening, and with clamp screws. The seed box shaft
should then be divided into two parts separated at the recess d for enabling the
hollow hub to be readily applied to and removed from the two coincident ends of
It is not
said shaft, to which the sprocket wheel is secured by the clamp screws.
generally desirable to remove the main sprocket wheel i from the revolving shaft A,
but said wheel may be constructed so that it may be applied to the usual sleeve on a
dise shaft, as this requires only that the wheel be sectional or in halves, and provided
with tangential bolts, extending from the bottom of a groove in one half to and through
a spoke of the wheel in the other half near the hub, as indicated in dotted lines in

page_text: Figure 3, thus enabling the wheel to be rotatively secured upon the usual sleeve of a
disc shaft.
It is now to be observed that when my jointed chain frame, is in its best
form, it can be equally well used for coupling a seed box shaft, either at its middle
or at its ends, with or to adjacent inner and outer ends of a disc shaft A, whether this
latter be angularly adjusted by a movement of its inner, or of its outer end, but it
will be obvious if the seed box shaft is to be coupled with that particular end of a
disc shaft which need be moved but little if any in making said adjustment, that the
simpler forms of frame will serve a good purpose.
A seed box with one of my chain frames and its sprockets, can obviously be mounted
upon the frame of even an ordinary toothed harrow, as illustrated in Figure 6, wherein
the harrow frame is indicated in dotted lines, and provided with a levelling or seed
covering roller, in two parts, united by a rotative arial shaft or bolt on which the
main sprocket wheel is mounted, and it will be equally obvious that if said main
sprocket wheel were located at the outer end of the roller, a driving connection can be
readily made with a projecting end of the seed box shaft, with the same chain and
chain frame.
In its best form my jointed frame carries a drive chain in two parts, and this 1
believe will generally be preferred in practice, but nevertheless in all cases where the
main sprocket wheel is varied in position but little, as the result of adjustment, the
drive chain may be in one continuous length, in which case two separate sprocket
wheels are used upon the pivot bolt e, instead of the one wheel having two grooves for
the chain, because with the two separate wheels, both will serve as guide wheels, instead
of serving as drive wheels, as when the single double grooved frame wheel is employed.
It will be readily seen that the drive chain links will be always maintained in such
proper and uniform relations with each other that open or hook links can be readily
employed therein, to provide for the convenient separation of the chain from the
apparatus, if desired, or for its ready application to a machine.
In Figure 7, show a simple form of my jointed chain frame as when applied to
the end of a seed box shaft, and to the outer end of a disc axle, as when said axle end
has but little or no movement incident to adjustment, but having the usual capacity
for free vertical movements, and when thus employed the same frame will do good
service even if the drive chain be continuous, as indicated in dotted lines, and so as
to be supported at even tension above the joint e upon separate frame wheels on the
pivot bolt.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is :-
First. In a seeding machine, the combination substantially as hereinbefore described,
of a seed box shaft, a sprocket wheel thereon, connected by suitable drive chain with
a main sprocket wheel revolved as a result of moving said machine while in service,
and a flexibly jointed chain frame, extending from the main sprocket wheel to the
sprocket wheel on the seed box shaft, and having at its joint a chain supporting
sprocket wheel, whereby substantially uniform relations are maintained between the
chain and all of said sprocket wheels regardless of those variations in the position of the
main sprocket wheel which are incident to the operation of seeding.
Second. In a seeding machine, the combination substantially as hereinbefore
described, of suitable sprocket wheels and drive chain employed therewith for commu-
nicating power to seed box shaft, and a three part flexibly jointed chain frame, one
part of which is hinged at one end upon said shaft, and also hinged at its opposite end
to one end of a second or middle part of said frune upon a pivot parallel with said
shaft, the third part or base of said frame having its lower end supported
by the axis of the main sprocket wheel, and its upper end swiveled to one end of said
second or middle part, for enabling a free torsional movement of said base portion of the
frame during variations in the position of the axis of the main or driving sprocket
wheel.
Third. In a seeding machine, the combination with a sced box shaft, a sprocket
whereon thereon, a inain or driving sprocket wheel and drive chain coupling said wheels,

page_text: of a three part chain frame which is interposed between said shaft and the main
sprocket wheel, is provided with an intermediate chain wheel, and has its lower part
or base loosely swiveled to the middle portion, substantially as described, for affording
not only a torsional movement but also lateral flexibility, and enabling said base part
to freely conform to the various positions assumed by the main sprocket wheel,
incident to adjusting and operating the machine.
Fourth. In a seeding machine, the combination with the seed box shaft, a sprocket
wheel thereon, a main or driving sprocket wheel and suitable drive chain, of a flexibly
jointed chain supporting frame which is interposed between said shaft and the axis of
the main sprocket wheel, is constructed in parts or sections, and has two of said parts
adjustably connected and forming a longitudinally extensible portion of the frame,
substantially as described, whereby the drive chain can be maintained in a tightened
condition without impairing the swiveling movement of the lower portion of the
frame in conforming to the varied positions of the main sprocket wheel incident
to the adjustment and operation of the machine in seeding.
Fifth. In a seeding machine, the combination substantially as hereinbefore described,
of a seed box having its agitator shaft provided with a sprocket wheel accessible near
the centre of the machine for the application of power thereto, a pair of revolving
axles, angularly adjustable with reference to the line of draft, and having thereon soil
working devices, a main or driving sprocket wheel, upon and near the inner end of one
of said axles a jointed chain frame extending from said main sprocket wheel to the
said box shaft, and drive chain supported under even tension by said frame for
communicating power to the seed box shaft.
Sixth. In a seeding machine, the combination with the seed box shaft, a sprocket
wheel thereon, a main or driving sprocket wheel, a chain frame extending from the
main sprocket wheel to the seed box shaft, and flexibly jointed upon a pivot or bolt
which is parallel with said shaft, a double grooved sprocket wheel mounted in said
frame, between the main sprocket and the said box shaft, and two drive chains for
coupling said double grooved sprocket wheel, respectively with said main sprocket
wheel, respectively with said main sprocket wheel and the sprocket wheel on the
seed box shaft, substantially as described.
Seventh. In a seeding machine, the combination with the seed box shaft, a sprocket
wheel thereon, a main or driving sprocket wheel, and suitable drive chain, of a flexibly
jointed chain frame, lunged at one end upon said shaft and ats foot supported on the
axis of the main sprocket wheel, and provided with clearing fingers at each side of
and parallel with said wheel substantially as described, whereby the chain and said main
sprocket wheel are protected against being unduly clogged by roots and earth
while the machine is in service.
Eighth. In a seeding machine, the combination with the seed box shaft and its
sprocket wheel, a main or driving sprocket wheel, and suitable drive chain, of a
stationary clearing stud or finger, projecting into the chain grove of the main sprocket
wheel, substantially as described, for freeing said groove from earth, roots and other
obstructive matter, while the machine is in service.
Dater this 27th dure of A 1800
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents for the Applicant.