Improvements in Lawn-mowers.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Jan., 1891-Accepted, 28th Feb., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Lawn-mowers.
I, ARTHUR PORTER, of Galena, in the County of Jo Daviess and State of
Illinois, United States of America, Carpenter, do hereby declare the nature of my
invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN LAWN-MOWERS, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:―
Fig. I is a top view of my improved lawn-mower and a detail view of the
oscillating lever;
Fig. II, a side view showing the cam-wheel and its connection with the cutting
apparatus, and
Fig. III, a longitudinal sectional view.
My invention relates particularly to improvements in machines employed for
mowing lawns; and its object is to provide a simple, inexpensive, and efficient device
easily handled and readily adjustable while in operation, so that grass may be cut
high or low at the will of the operator. It is capable of mowing grass at all stages
of growth, and is provided with a revolving rake and a receptacle for the cut grass.
The cutter-bar
The receptacle may be readily removed, emptied, and replaced.
being entirely in front of the machine, it is thus enabled to work close to trees,
plants, or other obstructions.
Referring to the accompanying drawings, A designates an integral triangular
frame at each side of the machine. The lower angles of these frames are attached
A driving-
to the finger-bar B. The main axle C is pivoted in these frames.
wheel D, having a serpentine or waved cam on its periphery, is attached to one
end of the axle and engages friction-rollers on the bifurcated ends of a pivoted and
oscillating lever E, which transmits reciprocating motion to the cutter-bar F. A
driving-wheel G is attached to the other end of the axle, and is provided near its
periphery with cogs which engage a pinion-wheel H, pivoted to the upper limb
of the triangular frame A. An additional pinion-wheel I completes the gearing
and transmits motion to the shaft J of the revolving rake K. An apron L, made
of light sheet metal, is attached to the upper surface of the finger-bar, and is bent
upwardly and rearwardly over two pendent hooks or brackets S-one on each side-
and thence downwardly close to and in the rear of the main axle. The said
brackets are attached to the under side of the apron, and their hooked ends rest
upon the axle. A support is thus provided for the rear edge of the apron, and at
the same time the finger-bar being attached thereto is made vertically adjustable
upon the main axle.
The receptacle M is, like the apron, preferably made of light sheet metal. The
front sides are hook-shaped and rest upon the apron. The body of the receptacle.
extends downwardly in the rear of the apron and is normally supported by lugs N,
which engage the bail O, to which the handle P is attached. The side limbs of
the bail are pivotally attached to the outer ends of the main axle, and their
forward extensions are adapted to pass under and, in the downward movement of
the handle, engage lugs Q, which are attached to the upper limbs of the triangular
frames A. It will be understood that by this arrangement the vertical adjustment
of the finger-bar and the cutting apparatus is entirely under control of the operator
while the machine is in motion. When the handle P is in its normal position, it
will be seen that the bail is in contact with the lugs N, and the finger-bar moves
near the surface of the ground and performs its work accordingly. If the handle
be slightly elevated, the finger-bar, being entirely freed from the bail, will move in
contact with the ground. If the handle be depressed, the forward ends of the
bail engage the lugs Q in front of the main axle, and thereby raise the finger-bar,

page_text: so that it may pass over obstructions; or, if desired, it may be held in that position
and thereby increase the height of the cut.
The cutting apparatus and the revolving rake, being both attached to the
triangular frame, preserve their relative positions under all the varying adjustments
effected by the handle. The cut grass is caught by the wings or sweeps of the
revolving rake and is thrown backwardly over the apron and into the receptacle.
Brackets R upon the sides of the receptacle enable the operator to remove and
replace it without inconvenience. The ends of the finger-bar are suitably guarded
by suitable shoes B', and the pinions of the revolving rake may also be guarded
from the cut grass by light metal shields.
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
1. The combination of the axle, the apron secured at its lower edge upon
the finger-bar, and the brackets having hooked ends hooking over said axle,
their lower ends being secured to the under side of the apron, substantially as
set forth.
2. The combination of the frames carrying an apron and the receptacle adapted
to receive the cut grass from the cutter-bar, and the bail having its side limbs
pivoted upon the main axle and reaching forward and engaging lugs on said frame,
said receptacle having lugs also engaging said side limbs of the bail, and said bail
having a handle, substantially as set forth.
3. The combination of the axle C, the bracket S, having hooked ends hooking
over said axle, the apron L, the finger-bar B, the cutter-bar F, operated by means
of the lever E, the cam-edged driving-wheel, and the receptacle, substantially as
and for the purpose set forth.
4. The combination of the axle C, the brackets S, having hooked ends attached
to the axle, the apron L, the finger-bar B, the cutter-bar F, operated by means
of the lever E, the driving-wheel having a cam on its periphery, the receptacle
at the rear of the axle, and the revolving rake in front of it, substantially as
described.
Dated this 27th dor of Tan 1901
F. W. BARKER,
Applicant's Agent.