IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS TO -FACILITATE THE BINDING OF SHEAVES. OR BUNDLES OF CORN AND OTHER CROPS
Year: 1878

page_text: 55
LETTERS PATENT to William Peacock Savage, of Burnham Sutton, in the
County of Norfolk, for the Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS TO
-FACILITATE THE BINDING OF SHEAVES. OR BUNDLES OF CORN AND OTHER
CROPS"
Sealed the 20th December 1878, and dated the 17th July 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Peacock Savage at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th July 1878.
WILLIAM PEACOCK SAVAGE, of Burnhamn Sutton, in the County of Norfolk.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS TO FACILITATE THE BINDING OF SHEAVES OR
BUNDLES OF CORN AND OTHER CROPS."
This Invention has for its object improvements in apparatus to facilitate the
binding of sheaves or bundles of corn and other crops.
Instead of binding with corn or straw as is now usual, I use a length of wire or
cord with a loop at each end, one loop being smaller than the other. To the small
loop at one end I fasten a cross head small enough to pass through the large loop at
the other end, and so link the ends together around the sheaf or bundle, or I loop
one end of the wire or cord, and fasten to the other end a hook formed thus
,
so that it will not readily unhook of itself.
When the corn or crop at the time of cutting is dry enough to bind, in addition
to using the wire or cord bands I fasten to the reaping machine on the delivery
side a frame supported on wheels and carrying a travelling surface, which receives
the cut crop delivered from the platform of the machine, and bring it backward
to a man who rides on the additional framework, and he binds it with some of
the bands before described; he then throws the sheaf or bundle aside on to the
ground, leaving a clear course for the machine when it next comes round.
I provide on the additional framework a receptacle into which loose corn shaken
out by the operation of the reaper is delivered by the travelling surface. The
loose corn which falls on the platform of the reaper finds its way on to the
travelling surface, and thence into the receptacle above mentioned. In this way
a great deal of grain is collected which otherwise would be lost.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Peacock Savage in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
17th January 1879.
WILLIAM PEACOCK SAVAGE, of Burnham Sutton, in the County of Norfolk.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS TO FACILITATE THE BINDING OF SHEAVES OR
BUNDLES OF CORN AND OTHER CROPS."
This Invention has for its object improvements in apparatus to facilitate the
binding of sheaves or bundles of corn and other crops.
Instead of binding with corn or straw as is now usual, I use a length of wire or
cord with a loop at each end, one loop being smaller than the other. To the small
loop at one end I fasten a cross bead small enough to pass through the large loop at
the other end, and so link the ends together around the sheaf or bundle, or I loop
one end of the wire or cord and fasten to the other end a hook formed, so that it
will not readily unhook of itself.
When the corn or crop at the time of cutting is dry enough to bind, in addition
to using the wire or cord bands I fasten to the reaping machine on the delivery
side a frame supported on wheels and carrying a travelling surface, which receives
the cut crop delivered from the platform of the machine, and brings it backward to
a man who rides on the additional framework, and he binds it with some of the
bands before described; he then throws the sheaf or bundle aside on to the ground,
leaving a clear course for the machine when it next comes round.
I provide on the additional framework a receptacle into which loose corn shaken
out by the operation of the reaper is delivered by the travelling surface. The loose
corn which falls on the platform of the reaper finds its way on to the travelling
surface, and thence into the receptacle above mentioned. In this way a great deal
of grain is collected which would otherwise be lost.
In order that my said Invention may be most fully understood and readily
carried into effect, I will proceed to describe the Drawings hereunto annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
"
Figures 1a, 16, 1c, 1d, le, 1f, and 1g, show the binders which according to my
Invention I employ to bind sheaves or bundles of corn and other crops. That
which I prefer especially when binding by means of machinery is Figure 1g. It is
a cord of suitable length to pass round the sheaf, and having a loop at one end,
whilst at the other it is provided with a corkscrew-like hook to engage with the
loop.
I find that this form of hook makes a very secure attachment, and yet is readily
disengaged.
Figures 2 and 3 are opposite side views of my binding apparatus, and Figure 4
is a back view of the same; Figure 5 is a plan, and Figures 6 show the binding
arms with the parts which actuate them.
a, a, is a frame; it is supported mainly by the axle of the pair of wheels b. This
axle is connected with the frame by a centre or perch pin, so that it can be made to
incline both for the purpose of turning and also to throw out of gear the train of
toothed wheels which operates the binding mechanism. The frame a is also
supported in front by the small castor wheels c, c, which can be set nearer to or
further from the under side of the frame as may be required. There is also another
castor wheel d at the back of the frame to prevent tipping, but this wheel need not
always bear on the land, or may be set to do so but slightly; there is a spring
around its stem to prevent shocks.
The seat for the workman is immediately-over the wheel d upon the box a*,
which contains the binding bands; f, f, are draw bars by which the frame a when
the apparatus is at work is coupled with the reaping machine. Thus, the binding

page_text: apparatus is made to travel with the reaping machine, and at the side thereof;
9, 9, are endless chains passing around chain wheels forming part of the large roller
or drum h, and also of the smaller roller i. These chains carry wooden lags forming
a travelling surface, and the lags are bevelled at the edges to allow them to pass
around the rollers, although they fit sufficiently close together to prevent the corn
passing between them. Or in place of wooden lags the chains g, g, may carry a
surface of woven fabric supported on wooden or other cross bars.
The drum h has a spur wheel h' upon its axis, which gears with a wheel b¹ fixed
to one of the wheels b, and in this way the travelling surface receives movement.
Reaping machines are made to deliver the cut crop from their platforms usually
on the left side of the machine, and the machine with which this binding apparatus
is intended to work I will suppose to deliver on the left-hand side, although the
delivery may be on either side. The endless travelling surface then receives the cut
crop as it is thrown off the platform of the machine, about at the part marked A in
the plan. The cut crop, together with any loose grain which may have been shaken
out, is carried up by the travelling surface over the top of the drum h, and it falls
down between the binding instruments. The loose corn is at once received into
the box k, and so it is collected. In this way a great quantity of grain is saved
which usually is dispersed over the ground and lost.
The binding apparatus consists of two curved arms land m, jointed together at
their lower ends. The arm has upon it two similar projections at a short
distance apart, and upon these the loop of the binder, Figure 1g is placed by hand,
and the loop is thus held distended. The hook at the other end of the binder is
placed upon the upright stud m³, which can slide a short distance up and down in a
hole formed through a projection m³ clamped to the arm m. The arm m is slotted,
and when the arms close together the end of the arm 7 passes through the slot in
the arm m.
When the arms have received between them from the travelling surface the sheaf
which is to be bound, they have a movement given to them which causes them to
compress the sheaf, whilst at the same time the loop of the binder is carried to the
spiral hook; the end of the lever I then strikes the small bent lever m³, and causes
it to force upwards the stud m' upon which the hook has been place. The hook
is thus made to engage with the loop. When the arms land m separate, the loop
quits the projections and the sheaf is left bound. Or to ensure the disengagement
of the loop, a spring joint may be on the arm lat 1*, and then the workman placing
his hand on the end of the arm and pressing it downwards as the arms separate,
makes sure of the loop being liberated.
The workman lifts the bound sheaf and lays it upon an inclined board at the
side of the apparatus, and from thence it slips down on to the ground. The arms
land m are actuated by the wipers n and o, fixed upon the axes of the wheels
n and o¹. As the wheels revolve the wipers, which may be provided with small
rollers at their ends, come against the lower parts of the arms and m and press
them together, and when the arms have passed, the arms again fall apart; m* is
a chain for limiting the movement of the arm m; 12 is a guard to prevent the
crop as it falls down between the arms from lodging upon the projections . The
wheels n¹ and o' gear together, and the wheel n¹ also engages with a pinion 6% fixed
to one of the wheels b.
From the wheel o' motion is imparted through a wheel q to another wheel r, and
upon the axis of the wheel r there is a cam to act upon the lower end of the heavy
bar or lever 8. This bar is able to turn around a stud at 8¹, and it is sustained by
the cam until the moment that the arms land m come together to bind the sheaf,
at which time the cam allows it to fall, and it further compresses the sheaf and
holds it away from the loop and hook of the binder whilst they are being made to
interlock. Immediately afterwards the cam again raises the bar 8.
The lever handle t is for the purpose of drawing the axle of the wheels b into an
inclined position; when it is wished to turn round; it also takes the wheel 6' out of
gear.

page_text: There is another lever handle u by which a smaller amount of movement can
be given to the axle, sufficient to separate the wheels 62 and n', and so stop the
action of the levers and m without arresting the movement of the travelling
surface..
The small rollers v, v, carried by the frame a are for the purpose of supporting
the travelling surface upon the under side: w, w, are guides for the endless chains.
I fix upon the travelling surface two leather bands near the centre, and at a short
distance apart, as is indicated in the plan view, so that when the arms and m
separate the upper end of the arm may enter between the bands, and so pass
completely under the crop which the surface is bringing forward, and lead it down
to the place where it is to be bound.
Sometimes I employ two or more pairs of arms and m, so that I may be able
to bind in different places according to the distance to which the reaping machine
may throw the crop across the travelling surface. I provide leather bands on
the travelling surface, and a drop bars for each pair of arms and m.
Sometimes I fix a wind guard to the side of the frame a opposite to that at
which the crop is received, so that the wind may not blow the corn about.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention and the manner of
performing the same, I would have it understood that I claim,-
First. The binder shown at Figures 1a, 16, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, and 1g, for binding
sheaves or bundles of cut crop.
Second. The binding apparatus, substantially as herein described.
Third. The arrangement by which the crop as it is delivered from a reaping
machine is received on to a travelling surface which collects the loose corn and
discharges it into a suitable box or receiver.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Peacock Savage, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Sixteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
עד
CAVANT
W. P. SA
AVACE
(L.S.)