IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR BINDING SHEAVES OR TRUSSES
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Howard and Edward Tenney Bousfield both of
Bedford in the County of Bedford, Engineers, for an Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENLO TA
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Howard and Edward
Tenney Bousfield at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
27th January 1883.
JAMES HOWARD, and EDWARD TENNEY BOUSFIELD, both of Bedford in the
County of Bedford, Engineers "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS
FOR BINDING SHEAVES OR TRUSSES "
Our present invention relates to improvements in binding mechanism of the
class described in the Specifications of former Letters Patent granted to us and
dated September 22nd A.D. 1881 (No. 4092,) and August 26th 1882 (No. 4093) and
has for its objects the simplification and increased efficiency of parts of such
mechanism, and also the adaptation thereof in a modified form to the purpose of
binding and tying straw into trusses as the same is delivered from a threshing
machine.
In our knot-tying mechanism as heretofore constructed, there is, in combination
with a knotting hook, similar to that described in the Specification of our Letters
Patent dated February 24th A.D. 1880 (N° 821), a notched disc or wheel, which
retains the cord during the operation of tying the knot, and there is a transverse
sliding bolt, which, through the medium of a vibrating lever and a pawl, turns the
said disc intermittently at the proper times, the said bolt being moved in one
direction by a spring.
According to the present invention we operate this notched gripper disc by
novel devices, whereby we obtain simplicity of construction and certainty of action.
The said transverse sliding bolt carries at its outer end a roller, which works in
the groove of a cam keyed on the knotter driving shaft, the said groove being of
the proper configuration to impart the required to and fro movement to the said
bolt. We thus dispense with the aforesaid spring and the vibrating lever and
Price 8d1

page_text: render the movement of the bolt positive in both directions. On the transverse
bolt is keyed or otherwise fastened, a pendant arm, to which is jointed a spring
pawl which takes into the ratchet teeth of the notched gripper disc; the said disc
is thereby moved forward one notch in each to and fro movement of the transverse
bolt.
SO
In constructing our binding mechanism to work in connection with, or to be
attached to, a threshing machine, we employ a table to which we fit a double set
of collecting, compressing, and binding appliances, which appliances are
arranged, as to operate simultaneously on each sheaf or truss being bound.
The two binder-arms when operated rise from below the receiving board or
Each binder
table and enclose the straw at two places in the length of the truss.
arm lays the band or cord across the notched' gripper-disc, and above the jaw of
the knotter-hook. The binder-driving shaft which lies under the binder table
extends from side to side thereof. This shaft has on it two sets of cranks at the
proper distance apart for giving motion to the vibrating collectors. The shaft is
driven at one end by a strap or chain from the threshing machine; its other end
carries the clutch pinion for giving the required intermittent motion through a
train of wheels to the knotting and binding mechanism.
In order to prevent the choking of either set of the binding appliances before
the other set has received a sufficient quantity of straw to form a full sheaf or
truss, the compression lever of the set which, in the formation of such sheaf or
truss, first receives the full pressure of the quantity of straw which is accumulating.
therein, lifts the clutch trip lever, and thereby permits the aforesaid clutch pinion
and train of wheels to operate the two sets of binding appliances.
To prevent the premature starting of the binding appliances and the consequent
binding of undersized sheaves or trusses, we employ a lock or stop catch to operate
controlled by a cam or tappet
on the trip lever of the clutch pinion, which stop
placed in a suitable position on one of the wheels of the aforesaid train of wheels.
The position of this cain or tappet relatively to the said train of wheels and the
lock or stop catch is such, that the trip lever of the clutch pinion will only be free
to rise and allow the binding appliances to operate after the compression lever has
regained its normal position, following the delivery of a bound.sheaf.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said James Howard and Edward Tenney Bousfield in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 27th July 1883.
JAMES HOWARD and EDWARD TENNEY BOUSFIELD, both of Bedford, in the
county of Bedford, Engineers, "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR
BINDING SHEAVES OR TRUSSES"
Our present invention relates to improvements in binding mechanism of the
class described in the specifications of former Letters Patent granted to us and
dated September 22nd A.D. 1881 (N° 4092) and August 26th A.D. 1882 (N° 4093).
The said invention has for its objects the simplification and increased efficiency of
such mechanism, and also the adaptation thereof to the purpose of binding and
tying into trusses the straw delivered from a threshing machine.
Our invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which,
Figure 1 is an underside view, and
Figure 2 is a front elevation illustrating our improved manner of operating the
notched gripper disc of the knot-tying mechanism.
Figure 3 is a plan or top view, and
Figure 4 is a side elevation showing our improved devices for preventing the
binding of undersized sheaves or trusses.
Figure 5 is a side elevation and
Figure 6 a front elevation illustrating our invention of the combination of
binding mechanism with a threshing machine.
Like letters indicate the same parts throughout the drawing.
In our knot-tying mechanism as heretofore constructed, there is, in combination
with a knotting hook, similar to that described in the specification of our Letters
Patent, dated February 24th A.D. 1880 (N° 821), a notched disc or wheel, which
retains the cord or string during the operation of tying the knot, and there is a
transverse sliding bolt, which, through the medium of a vibrating lever and a
pawl, turns the said disc intermittently at the proper times, the said bolt being
moved in one direction only by a cam, the movement in the opposite direction
being caused by a spring.
According to the present invention we employ for operating this notched gripper
disc novel devices, whereby we obtain simplicity of construction and certainty of
action.
These novel devices are arranged in combination with the said knotting hook
and gripper-disc as shown in Figures 1 and 2; wherein a indicates the knotter
driving shaft; b the knotting hook, c the gripper disc which as shown, has ratchet
teeth at c¹; and d the transversely sliding bolt. The said sliding bolt a carries at
its outer end a roller d' which works in the groove of a cam e keyed on the
knotter driving shaft a, the said groove being, as shewn at e', of the proper con-
figuration to impart the required to and fro movement to the bolt d. We thus
dispense with the aforesaid spring and the vibrating lever and render the move-
ment of the said bolt positive in both directions.
The said bolt d is supported in suitable bearings at f in which it is fitted to
lide freely.
On this transverse bolt is keyed or otherwise firmly fastened a pendent arm g
to which is jointed a spring pawl h, properly arranged to engage with the ratchet

page_text: teeth c¹ of the notched gripper-disc c and move the latter forward one notch in
each reciprocation or to and fro movement of the transverse rod d.
The action of the knotter in the operation of tying the knots and of the gripper-
dise in retaining the cord during the operation is substantially the same as that
hitherto employed and need not be herein particularly described.
To prevent the premature starting of the binding appliances and the consequent
binding of under-sized sheaves or trusses, we employ a lock or stop device to
operate on or in connection with the trip-lever of the clutch-pinion, which device
is controlled by a cam or tappet placed in a suitable position on one of the wheels
of the train of wheels through which motion is imparted to the binding mechanism.
The position of this cam or tappet, relatively to the said train of wheels and the
lock or stop catch, is such, that the trip-lever of the clutch pinion will only be free
to rise and allow the binding appliances to operate, when, after the delivery or
discharge of a bound sheaf, the compression lever has regained its normal position.
Referring more particularly to Figures 3 and 4, i indicates the cam or tappet ;
k the trip lever; and 1, 2, 3, 4 are the wheels forming the aforesaid train of wheels.
The wheel 4 is flanged and has in the said flange a notch / arranged in combination
with a pawl m; these parts being all arranged to operate as and for the purposes
explained in the said former specification N° 4093. A.D. 1882.
Our improved lock or stop device is arranged in combination with these parts as
follows, that is to say, the cam or tappet i is fixed or formed on the side of the
wheel 4; one end n¹ of a lever n projects into the path of this cam or tappet, and
the other end of the said lever has an arm n² arranged in combination with the
extension o' of the lever o which is in connection with the compression lever.
This lever o bears against the part of the trip-lever k to raise the latter out of
engagement with the stop p¹ of the clutch p, so that, when the said lever n occupies
the position shewn in dotted lines in Figure 4, the arm n³ engages with the
extension o¹ and prevents the rising of the lever o, and while the latter is held in
this manner the trip-lever k cannot release the stop p¹ of the clutch p to cause or
permit its engagement with the wheel or pinion 1, and the action of the binding
mechanism will be delayed.
As shown in the drawing the spring m¹ which is arranged in connection with
the pawl m to hold it in engagement with its notch is connected with the arm n²
of the lever n, to cause the said lever to return to its normal position after it has
been acted upon by the tappet i.
An interruption in the regularity with which the sheaves are delivered sometimes
occurs by reason of the presence in the crop of some tenacious kinds of weeds,
which prevent the sheaves from falling clear of the machine after they have been
discharged from the binding mechanism, and cause them to hang on the compression
lever so that it cannot return to its normal position. The said lock or stop device
then acts, as above described, to prevent the disengagement of the trip lever from
the clutch, and the consequent action of the binding mechanism till the said
compression lever has returned to its normal position and the proper quantity of
material to form a sheaf has accumulated on the table.
In adapting our binding mechanism to work in connection with a threshing
machine, we arrange a suitable frame at that end of the machine from which the
straw is delivered by the shakers; this frame may be provided with an inclined
table down which the straw will slide to the binding mechanism, but we preferably
use endless travelling aprons u, u, arranged as shown in Figures 5 and 6, by and
between which the straw is conveyed to the binding table. These aprons as shewn
are arranged at a slight angle to each other, so that there is a wider space between
them at the top where the straw is received than at the bottom where it is
delivered. The said aprons are driven by means of the driving chain t, through
which motion is communicated to the binding mechanism from the threshing
inachine; the said chain passes over a chain wheel t¹ (attached to one of the roller
E

page_text: on which the aprons run) the rollers being connected by the gear wheels . t. A
suitable device t³ is provided for keeping the chain taut.
In connection with the binding table q we employ a double set of gathering or
collecting, compressing and binding devices, which are so arranged as to operate
simultaneously on each truss being bound, and in such a manner that the choking
of either set of the binding appliances before the other set has received a sufficient
quantity of straw to form a truss is prevented.
This simultaneous operation is caused by mounting both sets of knotting
mechanism on the same shaft a and by connecting each of the compression levers v
to the shaft o2 which is common to both of them, so that whichever compression
lever first receives the full pressure raises the trip-lever k and starts the binding
mechanism.
The binding mechanism shown in Figures 5 and 6 is the same as that shown in
Figures 3 and 4 but it is obvious that we may modify the details of construction
of the same without departing from the essential features of this part of our
invention.
When the said mechanism is in operation the two binder arms or needles r, r.
rise froin below the receiving board or table q, and each lays a band or cord
around the straw (at a convenient distance from the end) across the notched
gripper disc c and above the jaws of the knotter-hook. The binder driving shaft
which lies under the binder table extends from side to side thereof; this shaft has
on it four sets of cranks at proper distances apart for giving motion to the
vibrating collectors or packers 8. The said shaft is driven at one end by the strap
or chain t from one of the shafts of the threshing machine; its other end carries the
clutch for giving the required intermittent motion, through the train of
wheels 1, 2. 3. 4, to the knotting and binding mechanism.
The framework on which are the travelling aprons and binding mechanism is
mounted upon wheels so that when it is not required to bind the straw delivered
from the threshing machine, the said mechanism may be easily removed.
Although in the foregoing description we have described the threshing machine
as provided with two sets of binding mechanism we may if desired arrange more
than two sets in the same manner without departing from the nature of our
invention. Also we may arrange the sets of binding mechanism to be adjustable
relatively to each other, so that the position of the bands or strings upon the truss
can be varied.
Having thus fully described our Invention and shewn how the same may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice we wish it understood that
We Claim.
First. The improvements consisting in the combination of the cam-groove, the
sliding bolt, the pendant arm or pawl-carrier, and the pawl, with the notched
gripper-disc, substantially as, and for the purpose, specified.
Second. The combination, with mechanism for forming and binding sheaves or
trusses, of the locking devices, constructed and operating substantially as set
forth, for preventing the premature action of such mechanism.
Third. The combination of truss-binding mechanism with a threshing machine,
substantially as described.
Fourth. The gathering and truss-binding mechanism which automatically
regulates the size of the trusses, and binds the same with two or
arranged and operating in combination with the ordinary parts of a threshing
more bands,
machine, substantially as described.
Fifth. The combination, substantially as specified, of two or more sets of the
gathering, compressing and binding devices and the trip mechanism, in such a
manner that the set which first receives a full quantity of material to be bound
will start the other set or sets of such devices simultaneously therewith, for the
purpose specified.
Sixth. In a threshing machine provided with truss binding mechanism as above
:

page_text: described, the combination with such mechanism of the revolving canvas aprons or
conductors which receive the straw and carry the same to the binding mechanism
as above set forth.
In witness whereof I the said Edward Tenney Bousfield for myself and on
behalf of the said James Howard have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty-
sixth day of July in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
eighty three
EDWARD TENNEY BOUSFIELD (L.S.)