improvements in Scythes
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd May, 1895
Complete Specification Left, 27th June, 1895-Accepted, 27th July, 1895
improvements in Scythes,
We, EDGAR, of Graz, Styria, Austria, BARON OF ECKER-ECKHOFEN, and
LUIGI PAUER, of Pola, Istria, Austria, Marine Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Scythes as heretofore made have the disadvantage that the mower is compelled
to accommodate himself, as regards the attitude of his body and the position of his
arms, to the position of the scythe, which latter position varies according to the
nature and condition of the turf or grass, the slope of the ground, the mowing-width,
and other circumstances, whereby a considerable expenditure of energy, long
practice, and considerable skill are required, without, however, obtaining such an
effective output as ought to be the case.
Further, a lasting rigid connection between the scythe-blade and the scythe-shaft
cannot be effected, whilst after each hammering-out of the blade, the setting or
adjustment of the blade relative to the block, in order to render the scythe as
convenient as possible for manipulation by the mower, requires skill and trouble.
The object of our improvements is to obviate the aforesaid drawbacks, and to
this end the said improvements comprise a device by means of which the scythe-
blade can be readily adjusted, relatively to the scythe-shaft, in a plane passing
through the blade and the shaft, can in certain cases, also be raised and lowered by
being turned about an axis parallel to its cutting edge, and can, when adjusted, be
securely and rigidly connected to the shaft. The improvements also comprise
devices for adjusting the handle-arm and the handles relatively to the scythe-shaft
for the purpose of enabling the mower to mow varying widths with one and the same
position of his body:
In the accompanying drawings,
Fig. 1 illustrates the ordinary mode of adjusting the scythe-blade;
:
Fig. 2 is a similar view showing a device for adjusting the scythe-blade in a plane.
passing through the latter and the scythe-shaft ;
Fig. 2 shows the heel-end of the scythe-blade, and
Figs. 2 and 20 illustrate two modes of constructing the adjusting-plate employed
with the said heel-end.
Figs. 3, 34, 3, and 3° illustrate respectively in exactly the same manner as
to Fig. 3, a device for adjusting the scythe-blade in a plane passing through the
latter and the shaft and also about an axis parallel to the cutting edge of the blade
as to Fig. 3 a heel-end and as to Figs. 38 and 3º, two modes of constructing an
adjusting angle-piece employed therewith;
Fig. 4 shows a further mode of constructing a heel-end suitable for use with
these adjusting devices;
:
Figs. 5 and 5 are two views of the adjustable handle-arm and handle; and
Fig. 6 is a view to a smaller scale of a scythe constructed according to this
invention.
According to the method heretofore ordinarily and generally employed of
adjusting and fixing the blade on a scythe-shaft the boss w of the heel h (Fig. 1) is
inserted into the hole s¹ that is provided in the wedge-like end of the scythe-shafts;
aud after a filling-piece e has been inserted between the shaft and the heel, the heel
is fixed by means of a ring r which is driven tightly on. The scythe-blade can be
Pl

page_text: :
adjusted or set according to requirements by altering the filling-piece e and also the
filling-piece e inserted in the hole s¹ for the boss, and by shifting the boss in the
longitudinal direction of the shaft.
It is obvious that this method of adjustment is not only very insecure but also
requires much trouble and considerable skill and practice, and that a lasting and
firm connection cannot be effected in such a manner.
Now, an adjusting-device according to this invention, by means of which the
blade can be quickly and securely adjusted on the shaft in a plane passing through
both, and a safe fastening of the adjusted blade can be effected, consists of an
adjusting-plate a of U-shape in cross section (Fig. 2B) which is formed with a
hole a', for the passage of a screw-bolt, and with a number of rows of holes a²
arranged concentrically with the hole a¹. The holes a² are arranged to alternate
with each other in adjacent rows, so as to enable the very smallest possible
variations of inclination to be obtained. Instead of the holes a³, an inclined slot a³,
may be employed, as shown in Fig. 2º.
The adjusting-plate a is fastened to the scythe-shafts by means of two wood-
screws a (Fig. 2), which pass through the cheeks of the plate.
The heel of the scythe-blade is formed with an open-ended longitudinal slot h¹
and above the latter with a set-pin 2. Through the slot there passes a screw-
bolt p which serves for fixing the scythe-blade, and which, when it is slackened,
allows the blade to be shifted and rotated. The adjustment and fixing of the
scythe-blade are effected by inserting the pin 2, after the blade has been suitably
shifted and turned or rotated, into one of the holes a², or into the slot a³, and then
tightening up the bolt p.
Instead of the heel shown in Fig. 2ª, the ordinary form of heel with a boss may
be employed. In this case the longitudinal slot ' and the hole al are reversed, the
heel being provided with the hole, and the adjusting plate with the longitudinal
slot a¹, as shown in Figs. 3A, 3B, and 3° with reference to the second adjusting
device, hereinafter described. Or, the boss w is formed as a set-pin, as shown
in Fig. 4, in which case the adjusting-plate must obviously be arranged in the
reverse position on the scythe-shaft, in order to allow the set-pin to be inserted
into the holes a² or the slot a³. The adjusting device by means of which, in
addition to the herein before described adjustment of the scythe-blade with reference
to the shaft, the blade may also be rotated about an axis parallel to the cutting
edge of the blade so that adjustments can be effected in two directions at right
angles to each other consists of the adjusting angle-piece beach side of which
is provided, similarly to the adjusting-plate a, with concentric rows of holės a
or or with a slot a³ or ³, one of the sides being also formed' with an open-
ended longitudinal slot a¹, and the other with longitudinal slot (Figs. 38
and 3)..
which is
The holes a², or the slot a³ and the open-ended longitudinal slot a
employed in this case in place of the hole a' (Fig. 2B) serve, as in the former case,
for the purpose of shifting the blade relatively to the shaft; but in this case the
screw-bolt p does not pass through the shaft, but only through the adjusting angle-
piece band the heel. A second screw-bolt p which passes, at right-angles to the
bolt p through the scythe-shaft and the longitudinal slot 6 of the adjusting
angle-piece, forms the axis which is parallel to the cutting edge of the blade and
about which the scythe-blade together with the adjusting angle-piece b, can be
rotated, after the bolt pl has been slackened the shifting of the adjusting. angle-
piece is effected at the same time on account of the guidance of the wood-screw b₁
in the slot b³.
+
When the adjusting-holes 6 are employed in place of the slot-b³, then, as will be
readily understood, the bolt p¹ must be slackened to an extent such as to allow the
angle-piece to be moved clear of the head of the wood-screw for the purpose of
adjustment.
For this adjusting-device, one of the forms of heel shown in Figs. 2^, 34, and 4,
can, if desired, be employed, the hole a¹ in the plate (Fig. 2B), or the slot a¹ in the

page_text: adjusting angle-piece (Fig. 3B) being provided according to the selected mode
of construction of the heel.
The handle-arm 9 (Figs. 5 and 6) is adjustable on the scythe-shafts in the
longitudinal direction of the latter, and is also capable of being rotated about its
point of attachment to the shaft.
For this purpose, the shaft is provided with a number of holes s' and the handle-
arm has a longitudinal slot g¹ and through one of these holes there is inserted a
screw-bolt g. A pin or stud bearing against the scythe-shaft forms a stop
or abutment for the handle-arm when the latter is fixed in the desired position by
means of its bolt g².
The handles c and d, one of which is provided on the handle-arm 9. and the other
at the end of the scythe-shaft, are provided with through-bolts c' and ' respectively;
and the handle-arm, and the end of the shaft, are each formed with a series of
holes cor d, into which these bolts are inserted and screwed up fast by means of
nuts; in this manner the handles may be adjusted relatively to each other and also
to the scythe-shaft. By the adjustment of the handle-arm and of the handles, the
point of the scythe-blade is raised or depressed, and the scythe-blade is rotated
relatively to the working position, and can also be shifted towards the right hand
away from the mower, or brought nearer to him, so that the mowing width may be
altered without altering the position of the mower's arms, and whilst the body of
the mower maintains its upright attitude.
בד
1
1007
We, EDGAR, BARON OF ECKER-ECKIIOFEN, of Graz, Styria, Austria, and LUIGI
PAUER, of Pola, Istria, Austria, Marine Engineer, 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 :-
Scythes as heretofore usually made possess the disadvantage that the mower is
compelled to accommodate himself, as regards the attitude of his body and, the
position of his arms, to the position of the scythe, which latter position varies
according to the nature and condition of the turf or grass, the slope of the ground,
the mowing-width, and other circumstances, whereby a considerable expenditure
of energy, long practice, and considerable skill are required, without however,
executing such an amount of useful work as ought to be the case. Further, a
lasting rigid connection between the scythe-blade and the scythe-shaft cannot
be effected; whilst after each hammering-out of the blade, the setting or
adjustment of the blade relatively to the block, in order to render the scythe
as convenient as possible for the manipulation of the mower, requires skill and
causes trouble.
The object of our improvements is to obviate the aforesaid drawbacks, and to
this end the said improvements comprise a device by means of which the scythe-
blade can be readily adjusted, relatively to the scythe-shaft, in a plane passing
through the blade and the shaft; can, in certain cases also be raised and lowered
by, being turned about an axis parallel to its cutting edge; and can, when adjusted,
be securely and rigidly connected to the shaft. The improvements also comprise
devices for adjusting the handle-arm and the handles relatively to the scythe-shaft
for the purpose of enabling the mower to mow different widths with one and the
same position of his body.

page_text: In the drawings filed with my Provisional Specification-
Fig. 1 illustrates the ordinary mode of adjusting a scythe-blade;
Fig. 2 is a similar view showing a device according to this invention for
adjusting the scythe-blade in a plane passing through the latter and the scythe-
shaft ;
Fig. 24 shows the heel-end of the scythe-blade, and.
Figs. 2 and 2 illustrate two modes of constructing the adjusting-plate
employed with the said heel-end ;
Figs. 3, 34, 3B and 3c illustrate in exactly the same manner, as to Fig. 3.a device
for adjusting the scythe-blade in a plane passing through the latter and the shaft
and also about an axis parallel to the cutting edge of the blade, as to Fig. 34 a
heel-end, and, as to Figs. 3B and 3° two modes of constructing an adjusting angle-
piece employed therewith;
Fig. 4 shows a further mode of constructing a heel-end suitable for use with
these adjusting devices;
Figs. 5 and 5 are two views of the adjustable handle-arm and handle; and
Fig. 6 is a view, to a smaller scale, of a scythe constructed according to this
invention.
According to the method heretofore ordinarily and generally employed of
adjusting and fixing the blade on a scythe-shaft, the boss w of the heel h (Fig. 1).
of the blade, is inserted into a hole s' that is provided in the wedge-like end of the
scythe-shafts, and after a filling-piece e has been inserted between the shaft
and the heel, the heel is fixed by means of a ring r which is driven tightly on.
The scythe-blade in this construction, can be adjusted or set according to
requirements by altering the filling-piece e and also the filling-piece e¹ inserted
in the holes for the boss, and by shifting the boss in the longitudinal direction
of the shaft.
It will be obvious that this method of adjustment is not only very insecure, but
also requires much trouble and considerable skill and practice, and that a lasting
and firm connexion cannot be effected in such a manner.
Now, an adjusting-device according to this invention, by means of which the
blade can be quickly and securely adjusted on the shaft in a plane passing through
both, and a safe fastening of the adjusted blade can be effected, comprises an
adjusting-plate a of U or channel shape in cross section (Fig. 2B), which is formed
with a hole a', for the passage of a screw-bolt p, and with a number of rows of
holes a arranged concentrically with the hole a¹. The holes a² are arranged to
alternate with each other in adjacent rows, so as to enable the very smallest possible
variations of inclination to be obtained. Instead of the holes a³, an inclined slot a³
may be employed, as shown in Fig. 2°.
The adjusting-plate a is fastened to the scythe-shafts by means of two
wood-screws at (Fig. 2), which pass through the cheeks of the plate.
The heel h of the scythe-blade is formed with an open-ended longitudinal slot h',
and above the latter is provided with a set pin 2. Through the slot h' there
passes the screw-bolt P which serves for fixing the scythe-blade, and which, when
it is slackered, allows the blade to be shifted and rotated. The adjustinent and
fixing of the scythe-blade are effected by inserting the pin 2, after the blade has
been suitably shifted and turned or rotated, into one of the holes a² (Fig. 2B), or
into the slot a³ (Fig. 2C), and then tightening up the bolt p.
Instead of the heel shown in Fig. 24, the ordinary form of heel with a boss may
be employed. In this case, the longitudinal slot h and the hole a' are reversed,
the heel being provided with the hole h¹, and the adjusting-plate with the longi-
tudinal slot al, as shown in Figs. 3, 34, 3B, and 3° with reference to the second
adjusting-device, hereinafter described; or the boss w is formed as a set-pin, as
shown in Fig. 4, in which case the adjusting plate must obviously be arranged in
the reverse position on the scythe-shaft, in order to allow the set-pin to be inserted
into the holes a² or the slot a³.
The adjusting-device by means of which, in addition to the hereinbefore described

page_text: adjustment of the scythe-blade with reference to the shaft, the blade may also be
rotated about an axis parallel to the cutting edge of the blade-so that adjustments
can be effected in two directions at right-angles to each other-consists of the
adjusting angle-piece b (Figs. 3 to 3c) each side of which is provided, on its two sides.
with concentric rows of holes a² and 2 or with slots a³ and 63, one of the sides being
also formed with an open-ended longitudinal slot a', and the other with a longitudinal
glot (Figs. 3B and 3°).
The holes a², or the slot a³, and the open-ended longitudinal slot a', which is:
employed in this case in place of the hole a' (Fig. 2B), serve, as in the former case,.
for the purpose of shifting the blade relatively to the shaft; but in this case.the
screw-bolt P does not pass through the shaft, but only through the adjusting.
angle-piece and the heel. A second screw-bolt pl which passes, at right-angles
to the bolt p, through the scythe-shaft and the longitudinal slot of the adjusting
angle-piece, forms the axis which is parallel to the cutting edge of the blade and
about which the scythe-blade, together with the adjusting angle-piece b, can be.
rotated, after the bolt p¹ has been slackened, the shifting of the adjusting angle-
piece being effected at the same time on account of the guidance of the wood-screw b
in the slot 6.
When the adjusting-holes 62 are employed in place of the slot ³, then, as will be
readily understood, the bolt p' must be slackened to an extent such as to allow the
angle-piece to be moved clear of the head of the wood-screw for the purpose
of adjustment.
For the adjusting-device just described, any one of the forms of heel shown, in
Figs. 24, 34, and 4 can be employed, the hole a' (Fig. 2B), or the slot a' (Fig. 3B 1.
being provided in the angle-piece according to the selected mode of construction
of the heel.
The handle-arm g (Figs. 5, 5, and 6) is adjustable on the scythe-shafts in the
longitudinal direction of the latter, and is also capable of being rotated about its
point of attachment to the shaft.
For this purpose, the shaft is provided with a number of holes s¹ and the handle-
arm with a longitudinal slot 1, whilst through one of the holes s' there is inserted
a screw-bolt g². A pin or stud 9 bearing against the scythe-shaft, forms a stop or
abutment for the handle-arm when the latter is fixed in the desired position by
means of its bolt g².
The handles c and d, one of which is provided on the handle arm g, and the other
at the end of the scythe-shaft, are provided with through-bolts c and d respectively;:
and the handle-arm, and the end of the shaft, are each formed with a series of
holes c² or d², into which these bolts are inserted and screwed up fast by means of
nuts; by these means the handles may be adjusted relatively to each other and.
also to the scythe-shaft. By the adjustment of the handle-arm and of the handles,
the point of the scythe-blade is raised or depressed, and the scythe-blade rotated
relatively to the working position and also shifted towards the right hand away.
from the mower, or brought nearer to him; so that the mowing width may be
altered without altering the position of the mower's arms, and whilst the body of
the mower maintains its upright attitude.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-.
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we.
claim is-
1. A device for adjusting a scythe-blade relatively to its shaft in a plane passing-
through both and for fixing the scythe-blade in its adjusted position, comprising au
adjusting-plate provided with either a hole a', or a slot a', and either with rows
of holes a concentric to the said hole or slot, or with an inclined slot a³, and to.
which is fastened, by means of a screw-bolt p that extends through the scythe-shaft,
the heel of the scythe-blade, which is formed with a slot ', and is provided with
either a set-pin h² or a pin-shaped boss w, the said set-pin or the said boss being
adapted to be inserted into one of the holes a' or in the slot a³ for the purpose of
0

page_text: altering the position of the scythe-blade, substantially as herein described for the
purposes specified.
2. An adjusting-device of the kind specified in the preceding claim, in which,
for the purpose of adjusting the scythe-blade also about an axis of rotation parallel
to the cutting edge of the scythe-blade, the adjusting-plate is formed as an
angle-piece band is provided with a longitudinal slot 6 and either with rows of
holes concentric to the said hole b¹ or with a slot 63 in which holes 6ª or slot 63
engages a screw 6*, the screw-bolt p in this case serving to connect the heel with
the angle-piece only, and the angle-piece being capable of being rotated about
a screw-bolt p¹ that passes through the longitudinal slot b', substantially as herein
described.
3. In a scythe, the handle-arm g provided with means, comprising a screw-bolt g³
and holes s¹ in the scythe-shaft, for fixing the said handle-arm in different positions
along the said shaft, and provided also with a slot g¹ and an abutment-pin gå for
the purpose of enabling it to be adjusted in a rotary manner on the said shaft,
substantially as herein described.
с
4. In a scythe, means for fixing the handles c and d in different positions along
the handle-arm and the scythe-shaft respectively, comprising through-bolts c¹ and d'
and holes and 2 in the said handle-arm and the said shaft respectively,
substantially as described.
5. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the improved scythes
herein before described with reference to and shown in Figs. 2, 2A, 2B, 5, 5, and 6
and in Figs. 3, 3A, 3B, 5, 54, and 6 of the drawings herein referred to, or modified
according to Fig. 20, or Fig. 3º, or Fig. 4.
D
07 1903