IMPROVEMENTS IN OBTAINING THE TRANSVERSE RECIPROCATING MOTIONS OF THE CUTTER BAR IN REAPING, MOWING, AND OTHER SIMILAR AGRICULTURAL MACHINES, AND IMPROVE- MENTS IN WHEELS FOR AGRICULTURAL MACHINES, WHICH LAST-NAMED IMPROVE- MENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO TRACTION ENGINE WHEELS
Year: 1868

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Charles Joseph Foster at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 21st November 1868.
I, CHARLES JOSEPH FOSTER, of Maldon, in the County of Essex,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN OBTAINING THE TRANSVERSE RECIPROCATING MOTIONS OF THE CUTTER BAR IN
REAPING, MOWING, AND OTHER SIMILAR AGRICULTURAL MACHINES, AND IMPROVE-
MENTS IN WHEELS FOR AGRICULTURAL MACHINES, WHICH LAST-NAMED IMPROVE-
MENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO TRACTION ENGINE WHEELS," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to certain improvements in machines for reaping,
mowing, and other agricultural uses, the object being, firstly, to dispense
with geared or toothed wheels for operating the transverse reciprocating
motions; and, secondly, to enable the motor wheels to obtain a better
adhesion with the ground and to prevent their slip.
To effect the first object I form around the inner periphery or rim of
the motor wheel a continuous series of zig-zag slots, grooves, or
The traverse
projections, or they may be semicircular or curvilinear.
motion, as for example in a reaper or mower, is effected by means of a
pin, projection, stud, or lever attached to the longitudinal knife bar,

page_text: entering the continuous groove, or bearing on the projections or ridges,
when it follows that the revolution of the motor wheel will draw the bar
to and fro, thus accomplishing the requisite reciprocating action for the
cutters. The arrangement for obtaining the adhesion of the wheels is
effected by means of a starred or long toothed point wheel, the teeth
of which pass through the rim of the road wheel, apertures being cut
in the rim free from the slots, grooves, or projections; this starred wheel
has its bearings in a slotted guide in connection with the axis of the
motor wheel and strengthened by the frame to which it is attached.
The slot permits of the adjustment of the star wheel at the desired
elevation from the ground so that it may be made to penetrate to any
distance beyond the rim of the motor wheel through the apertures
according to the nature of the ground, or be entirely raised or taken out
of gear with the perforations so that the motor wheel may revolve
independently of the star wheel, which when its points are protruded
through the apertures derives its motion accordingly. The star wheel
is easily adjusted and secured in the slotted guides by means of a set
screw and nut.
This improvement is applicable to all descriptions of locomotive
agricultural machines, and may also be applied to, traction engines.
The method of obtaining the reciprocating action to the knife bar as
used in the mowing and reaping machines is equally applicable to every
other agricultural machine where an equivalent motion is required, such
as for straw shakers. The application of a scraper to the rim of the
wheel will prevent the accumulation of dirt, and the protruding teeth
will also drive out the same from the perforations.