IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING MACHINES AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING CUT CROP INTO SHEAVES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Spencer, of Spout Farm, Ashleyhay, Wirksworth,
in the County of Derby, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING
MACHINES AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING CUT CROP INTO SHEAVES."
Sealed the 29th April 1879, and dated the 3rd December 1878
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Spencer at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd December 1878.
GEORGE SPENCER, of Spout Farm, Ashleyhay, Wirksworth, in the County of
Derby. "IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING MACHINES AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING
CUT CROP INTO SHEAVES."
To construct reaping machines to deliver the crop properly secured in sheaves I
place beyond and below the delivery end of the platform, either of a back delivery
or side delivery reaping machine, a receptacle of a length equal to the length of the
end of the platform, and a width sufficient to allow the straw of the cut crop to lie
across it. The crop is delivered in any ordinary manner from the platform of the
reaping machine, and caused to drop into this receptacle in place of on to the
ground. After a bundle of crop has been delivered into the receptacle it is gathered
together into one or more sheaves to be compressed and secured. If it is to be
compressed into a single sheaf it is gathered together by a pair of curved arms
moving towards one another by preference by their being caused to turn upwards
on a pin joint from below the bottom of the receptacle. The curved arms are
caused to meet or overlap one another above the bundle of crop which they have
gathered together. A. U shaped compressor carried at the end of a lever is then
caused to rise up from below the bottom of the receptacle and lift the bundle of
crop and press it upwards against the upper ends of the curved gathering arms.
The first part of the upward movement of the lever arm carrying the compresser
may be arranged to give the requisite turning motion to the gathering arms. The
lever has motion given to it through a friction clutch or connection from one of the

page_text: wheels of the machine at the times desired, and so all the sheaves will be compressed
to the same extent; but by varying the amount of friction in this clutch or
connection the degree to which the sheaves are compressed may be varied. Whilst
the bundle of crop is thus held a wire or cord or straw or other band is passed
around it by an arm which extends out from a disc carried by an axis which is
mounted in bearings at one side of the receptacle. The arm lies at the bottom of
the receptacle whilst the bundle of crop is being gathered together and compressed.
When the cord or band has been carried around the bundle the ends of the cord or
band may be taken by any known twisting or knotting apparatus and secured
together. Or I effect the securing together of the ends of a cord or band after it
has been passed around a bundle or sheaf by first twisting or partially twisting
together the ends of the cord or band, then causing the ends of the band to lie in
opposite directions alongside of the part of the band around the sheaf, and next
causing the band and twist or partial twist in it to be grasped between a pair of
plates or surfaces, which are then drawn in opposite directions so as to cause the
band to roll over and wind up the ends around itself. When this has been done
the sheaf is relieved from the pressure of the compressor, and as the sheaf expands
into the band the ends of the band are securely held.
If more than one sheaf is to be compressed and bound at the same time I use
two or more sets of the gathering, compressing, and securing apparatus, one for
each sheaf. The bundle of crop delivered into the receptacle is first partially
divided into separate sheaves by wedge formed dividers being passed into it
wherever the division is to take place before each separate portion of the bundle is
taken and gathered together into a sheaf by a pair of curved arms, as before
explained.
.
The arm. which carries the cord around the sheaf may be hollow, and the cord
passed through it and brought out of its end. To give motion to the disc which
carries the arm, or to the discs which carry the arms if more than one sheaf is to
be formed, I use a rack to which an endway to and fro motion is given; when the
discs are to be revolved the rack gears with a pinion or pinions on the axis or axes
of the discs, and so revolves them in its to and fro motion.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said George Spencer in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 3rd June
1879.
"
GEORGE SPENCER, of Spout Farm, Ashleyhay, Wirksworth, in the County of
Derby. "IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING MACHINES AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING
CUT CROP INTO SHEAVES."
To construct reaping machines to deliver the crop properly secured in sheaves I
place beyond and below the delivery end of the platform, either of a back delivery
or side delivery reaping machine, a receptacle of a length equal to the length of the
end of the platform, and a width sufficient to allow the straw of the cut crop to lie
across it. The crop is delivered in any ordinary manner from the platform of the
reaping machine, and caused to drop into this receptacle in place of on to the
ground. After a bundle of crop has been delivered into the receptacle it is gathered
together into one or more sheaves to be compressed and secured. If it is to be
compressed into a single sheaf it is gathered together by a pair of curved arms
moving towards one another by preference by their being caused to turn upwards
on a pin joint from below the bottom of the receptacle. The curved arms are
caused to meet or overlap one another above the bundle of crop which they have
gathered together. The compressing arms have motion given to them through
friction clutches or connections from one of the wheels of the machine at the times
desired, and so all the sheaves will be compressed to the same extent; but by
varying the amount of friction in this clutch or connection the degree to which the
sheaves are compressed may be varied. Whilst the bundle of crop is thus held a
wire or cord or straw or other band is passed around it by an arm which extends
out from a disc carried by an axis which is mounted in bearings at one side of the
receptacle. The arm lies at the bottom of the receptacle whilst the bundle of crop
is being gathered together and compressed. When the cord or band has been
carried around the bundle the ends of the cord or band may be taken by any
known twisting or knotting apparatus and secured together. Or I effect the
securing together of the ends of a cord or band after it has been passed around a
bundle or sheaf by first twisting or partially twisting together the ends of the cord
or band, then causing the ends of the band to lie in opposite directions alongside of
the part of the band around the sheaf, and next causing the band and twist or
partial twist in it to be grasped between a pair of plates or surfaces, which are
then drawn in opposite directions so as to cause the band to roll over and wind up
the ends around itself. When this has been done the sheaf is relieved from the
pressure of the compresser, and as the sheaf expands into the band the ends of the
band are securely held.
If more than one sheaf is to be compressed and bound at the same time I use
two or more sets of the gathering, compressing, and securing apparatus, one for
each sheaf. The bundle of crop delivered into the receptacle is first partially
divided into separate sheaves by wedge formed dividers being passed into it
wherever the division is to take place before each separate portion of the bundle is
taken and gathered together into a sheaf by a pair of curved arms, as before
explained.
The arm which carries the cord around the sheaf may be hollow, and the cord
passed through it and brought out of its end. To give motion to the disc which
carries the arm, or to the discs which carry the arms if more than one sheaf is to
be formed, I use a rack to which an endway to and fro motion is given; when the
discs are to be revolved the rack gears with a pinion or pinions on the axis or axes
of the discs, and so revolves them in its to and fro motion.
In order that my said Invention may be fully understood and readily carried
into effect I will proceed to describe the Drawings hereunto annexed.

page_text: DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS,
The Figures on the right hand side of Plate 1 show the tying parts of the
machine in three different positions. The remaining Figure shows the operating
mechanism.
The roller pinions a and b are alternately put in gear by the large wheel d being
pushed up against them, and they put themselves out by a cam upon them coming
up against either side of the wheel d alternately.
The ratchet with hump at its end pushes down the disc p at the right, thereby
setting both ends of the cord at liberty for rubbing between the plates k and m,
which are moved each way, as required, by gearing at the end.
Two catches s and q which move together on the slide k open and shut the
calipers. They work under and above on spur wheels b and d, Plate 2. Small
dots in the elbows of the calipers represent holes for shifting the barst for the lever
power.
Figure 2, Plate la-a is a round plate with two studs on each side, and spring
on each which catches the cord when coming round. Each goes in a groove b,
Figure 5, which groove is continued all round except at the point where two plates
meet, where there is a spring, one each way; one of them is divided for the stud to
pass through, marked in Figure 4.
Figure 6, hollow arm.
The two studs in a can stay in the groove by being in an upright slot.
When a
is pushed in to let both ends at liberty, as seen in Figure 3, the bump t should be
under and the plates in on a slide that comes backwards and forwards to rub. p is
next to the sheaf. The bolt m, Figure 2, moves up to the top by the end going in
a groove n, Figure 7, groove being in the cone or frame.
Plate 2. a, mowing machine wheel; c, spur wheel to main shaft; d, upright
spindle with rake fast to it at bottom turned by a crank on the pinion m; t, catch
for pushing lever beam with wheel in gear; it is thrown out by a spring or springs;
8, instrument which pushes the catch t round into nicks o, leaving it there till lifted
up by tube with weight at bottom, marked 7, Plate 3; v, clutch gear for pinion m
on the other side of beam; g, small cam for throwing out of gear the clutch v ;
R, point and catch for turning the teeth of rake to cause them to get under and at
the back of crop; p, moveable bars which accommodate themselves to teeth q;
x, telescope frame to close up as the receptacle contracts behind when moving with
crop.
Plate 2a shows the main shaft h driven by the spur wheel g from the reaping
machine wheel I, Plate 3º. A small disc a fast on the main shaft h turns the spur
wheel b, working the calipers through a friction clutch consisting of two plates
rubbing together and slipping when the extent of grasping the sheaf is reached.
e and d are like a and b, but turn in the contrary direction, working from the
wheel e which is turned by a strap from the mowing machine wheel, and which
also slips as a break when the sheaf is tight enough. It has deep flanges to keep
strap on, and telescopes backwards and forwards when being put in and out of
gear. The large treble spur wheel g is telescoped into gear by the lever j, Plate 3,
and turns every thing on the shaft h except what is turned by the strap wheel e,
which revolves the contrary way to the shaft on a tube n.
Small studs on the left
sides of the wheels b, d, e, and g, catch into holes in the opposite discs. There are
springs between each for pushing out of gear, and all are loose. Or there may be
a strong spring at the wheel g for pulling them all out of gear.
Description of Plate 3.-The right hand disc, No. 1, is put in gear by the bolt
and stud being pushed into holes in the plate. The left disc and pinion, No. 2, are
made tight together by nut on tube 4. The bolt pushed to the left puts pinion
and left plate in gear, the stud 5 coming into the holes at the end of tube 4.
There is a spring between 5 and 6 to press them out of gear; 5 is fast on the main
shaft.

page_text: Plate 3a shows means of working rake k by foot at m. The foot, when drawn
back, drops the cradle n with crop on it, which is then pushed over the fall p, a
man with hand rake sitting on the seat R. The rake & comes under the bars s at t,
and by the same movement lifts them up. The bars immediately drop when the
rake comes up to the drop p. The spindle v pushes the lever j carrying the
wheel into gear when the foot goes forward, and pushes the crop into the
receptacle by the same motion. •
Plate 4. The two pinions to the right a, a, work the rubbing plates back and
forward, and a piece taken off one side causes them to stop as they come round to
there. The spur wheel puts them in gear, first one and then the other, and they
are pushed back by springs at the ends of the ratchets into position for the teeth
to catch when the large wheel comes to them.
a is the plate for twisting the cord; an end view is shown in Plate Figure 2a;
b, b, b, pinions; c, c, c, c, coned case in which a and b, Plate 1, Figure 2, are turned;
t, plate having come to the left and having just made the rub; B, wheel for strap
to be crossed from left side mowing machine wheel; s, right disc of friction brake.
Description of Plate 5.-Calipers may be worked from friction discs on main
shaft; c, bottom caliper pushed round by hollow arm d; e, board which may be
pulled in to bring crop to caliper; f, lever to work to caliper, and also pulls board e
in with crop; 0, 0, 0, rod to pull board in; A, knotting part; g, catches for bottom
caliper, which is pushed out of catch by motion shown in other plates; t, part of
caliper going round to catches; h, spring steel plates at the end of the bottom
caliper; they bend round at the last of the compression with the bottom caliper,
and reach further to catch the crop. This machine may have the hollow arm fixed
at either end of the receptacle, and make two sheaves by doubling the gear and
putting it on the other side of the receptacle and wedge for dividing the crop.
A modification of the knot tying apparatus, in which crescent plates revolving
perpendicularly are employed, is shown by Plate 6. Figure a is turned by chain
gear from a main axle; the axle of a is divided in the middle for the hollow arın
to come through. The crescents have springs at the back to close them like a pair
of shears. There is a joint in the wheel at B.
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 method of producing the tie by turning and rubbing the ends of the
cord or band together by mechanical rubbers, substantially as described.
Second. Leading in the cord or band through a bent tubular revolving arm,
substantially as described.
Third. Driving the compressing arms through frictional holding or clutching
surfaces which yield when a sufficient pressure has been applied, substantially as
described.
Fourth. The construction of reaping machines and the application thereto of
apparatus for forming the cut crop into sheaves, substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Spencer, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Thirtieth day of May, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy nine.
GEORGE SPENCER. (L.S.)