IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING, MOWING, AND GRASS CUTTING MACHINES, AND IN APPARATUS FOR GATHERING AND FACILITATING THE BINDING OF CUT CROPS."
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Edwin Phillips, of Grantham, in the County of
Lincoln, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING, MOWING, AND
GRASS CUTTING MACHINES, AND IN APPARATUS FOR GATHERING AND
FACILITATING THE BINDING OF CUT CROPS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Edwin Phillips at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 8th September 1876.
" IMPROVE-
JAMES EDWIN PHILLIPS, of Grantham, in the County of Lincoln.
MENTS IN REAPING, MOWING, AND GRASS CUTTING MACHINES, AND IN APPARATUS
FOR GATHERING AND FACILITATING THE BINDING OF CUT CROPS."
This Invention has for its object improvements in reaping, mowing, and grass
cutting machines, and in apparatus for gathering and facilitating the binding of
cut crops.
In constructing reaping machines I place the main frame on the outer side of the
carrying and driving wheel, this frame carries the axis of the first motion pinion.
On the same axis a quadrant is mounted having teeth on its periphery with which
another pinion engages. The axle of the main wheel is fixed to the quadrant, so
that when the last-mentioned pinion is turned it climbs up the teeth of the
quadrant and raises the frame with it; there is a ratchet on the axis of this pinion
into which a pawl drops for the purpose of sustaining the frame when it has been
raised, and this pawl has to be lifted when it is desired to lower the frame.
The first motion pinion gears with a ring of internal teeth on the main wheel, and
it has on its axis a bevilled pinion driving a bevilled wheel on a rising shaft which
actuates the rakes and gatherers. On the same axis there is also a spur wheel in
gear with a pinion cn an axis beneath it which is also carried by the frame. On
the lower axis there is a bevilled wheel driving a corresponding pinion on the shaft
of the crank which works the knife. The driver's seat is fixed to the frame and is
raised and lowered with it. I employ either four or six rakes and gatherers, and
I connect their arms together in pairs, each arm being connected to that on the
opposite side by a rigid connection, and to admit of this the centres or studs on
which the two arms forming a pair are mounted are arranged in a line with each
other and work as if one continuous axis. These pairs of arms are controlled as
•

page_text: .
they rotate by a cam course, and when it is not desired that the rakes should clear
the platform they are directed by a switch so as to come under the control of a
second cam surface at a higher level.
By means of a string the switch can be operated by the driver, and it can also
be operated automatically. For this purpose a rod in connection with the switch
is acted on by a stud or studs on a disc which is caused to revolve by a driving
band passing around a pulley upon its axis, and also around another pulley upon
the rake head. These pulleys are made in steps, and by shifting the driving band
from step to step the speed can be altered, so that the switch may come into play
at the passage of every rake or gatherer, or it may be set to take them alternately 1
or in any order desired.
In place of connecting the pole to the main frame so that the joint is rigid, whilst
the implement is at work I leave the joint free to play, but control it by stiff
springs; then, when any unusual obstruction presents itself to hinder the forward
motion of the finger bar, the joint yields and eases the machine over the difficulty 1
or the driver by putting a foot to the ground, or by rising from his seat may also
cause a play of the joint which will tend to relieve the cutting apparatus from the
obstacle which it has encountered.
In order to assist the fingers in passing through a laid crop I sometimes use
lifters in advance of some of the fingers as is now often practiced. I fix all the 2
lifters to an borizontal bar which I attach to the finger bar by mounting it in
bearings one at either end; I also provide adjusting sciews by which the bar can
be turned partly round, and held so as to be able to set and retain the points of
the lifters as close to the ground as may be desired.
In place of allowing the rotating rakes to sweep the cut crop off the platform on 2
to the ground I place to receive it as it falls off the side of the platform an open
framework of parallel bars which are fixed at the front to a transverse bar or axis;
this auxiliary platform is lowered at intervals by the turning of the front bar or
axis, and then the sheaf accumulated upon the framework or auxiliary platform is
discharged on to the ground. The stubble passing up between the bars aids in 3
causing the delivery of the bundle, and also in closing it together into a compact
sheaf.
The auxiliary platform may be operated automatically by the mechanism of the
implement; or it may be worked by the foot of the driver. I make fingers of cast
iron with steel cutting edges and tips by placing the steel parts in a mould, and 3
then causing cast iron to flow through the mould until the steel is thoroughly
. heated, the iron which remains in the mould in cooling unites itself thoroughly
with the steel, so that there is no danger of the parts separating afterwards.
In order to gather the cut crop after the reaping machine I employ an implement
on two wheels and with rotating rakes like a hay raker, the implement is provided 4
with a seat at the back, and in front of the seat is a grating or open table.
When the implement is at work it is drawn over the ground by a horse whilst
the rakes are locked, so that they do not revolve until sufficient of the crop has
been collected to form a sheaf or bundle; then a half turn of the rakes is allowed
which brings up the bundle on to the grated table, and there holds it whilst the 4
workman passes a tie around it. I employ for the tie a tarred yarn made with a
soft iron wire in the centre; I prepare the ties previously with a loop at one end,
and the other end is drawn through the loop and bent down after the tie has been
passed around the bundle; the bundles thus tied are easily opened and the ties are
available to be used another time.
5
In constructing mowing machines the main frame is commonly mounted upon
the axle of the carrying wheels, so that it is free only to turn upon the axle.
Now I form a slot in the frame so that it may be able to play up and down a short
distance upon the axle. Springs are applied to support the frame, and when the
implement is at work these springs are partly compressed by the weight of the 5
frame, with which also the driver's seat is connected, so that the weight of the
driver also comes upon the springs. This arrangement tends to allow the machine
:

page_text: to pass more freely over obstacles, and the driver also sits more easily in his seat.
In order to cut narrow widths of grass, like garden borders, I construct a tool on
the principle of the reaping machine with a finger bar and vibrating knife. I cast
the finger bar and fingers all of a piece, and I make the knife of a steel plate with
saw-like teeth. At one end of the finger bar a stick or handle is fixed by which
the tool is drawn over the surface of the grass to be cut, the person using the tool
walking backwards.
The shaft of the crank which works the knife runs up by the side of the stick or
handle, and it has a quick pitched screw thread formed upon it which receives a
nut, and this being worked up and down by the operator the shaft is rotated and
the knife receives a vibratory motion. At the outer end of the finger bar there is
an incline or lifter to raise any grass which may be overhanging the margin of the
border so as to bring it within the reach of the cutting apparatus.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Edwin Phillips in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 8th
March 1877.
JAMES EDWIN PHILLIPS, of Grantham, in the County of Lincoln. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN REAPING, MOWING, AND GRASS CUTT IG MACHINES, AND IN APPARATUS
FOR GATHERING AND FACILITATING THE BINDING OF CUT CROPS."
This Invention has for its object improvements in reaping, mowing, and grass
cutting machines, and in apparatus for gathering and facilitating the binding of
cut crops.
In constructing reaping machines I place the main frame on the outer side of
the carrying and driving wheel; this frame carries the axis of the first motion
pinion. On the same axis a quadrant is mounted, having teeth on its periphery
with which another pinion engages. The axle of the main wheel is fixed to the
quadrant, so that when the last-mentioned pinion is turned it climbs up the teeth
of the quadrant and raises the frame with it. There is a ratchet on the axis of
this pinion, into which a pawl drops for the purpose of sustaining the frame when
it has been raised; and this pawl has to be lifted when it is desired to lower the
frame.
The first motion pinion gears with a ring of internal teeth on the main wheel,
and it has on its axis a bevilled pinion driving a bevilled wheel on a rising shaft,
which actuates the lakes and gatherers. On the same axis there is also a spur
wheel in gear with a pinion on an axis beneath it, which is also carried by the
frame On the lower axis there is a bevilled wheel driving a corresponding pinion
on the shaft of the crank which works the knife. The driver's seat is fixed to the
frame, and is raised and lowered with it. I arrange the rakes to rotate about a
centre vertically over the main wheel, and I employ either four or six rakes and
gatherers, and I connect their arms together in pairs, each arm being connected to
that on the opposite side by a rigid connection; and to admit of this the centres
or studs on which the two arms forming a pair are mounted are arranged in a line
with each other, and work as if one continuous axis. These pairs of arms are
controlled as they rotate by a cam course, and when it is not desired that the rakes
should clear the platform they are directed by a switch so as to come under the
control of a second cam surface at a higher level.
By means of a string the switch may be operated by the driver, or may be
operated automatically. For this purpose a rod in connection with the switch is
acted on by a nose or cam, which is caused to revolve by a driving band passing
around a pulley upon its axis, and also around another pulley upon the rake head.
These pulleys are made in steps, and by shifting the driving band from step to step
the speed can be altered so that the switch may come into play at the passage of

page_text: every rake or gatherer, or it may be set to take them alternately or in any order
desired
In place of connecting the pole to the main frame, so that the joint is rigid
whilst the implement is at work, I leave the joint free to play, but control it by
stiff springs; then when any unusual obstruction presents itself to hinder the
forward motion of the finger bar the joint yields and eases the machine over the
difficulty; or the driver by putting a foot upon a treadle provided for the purpose
may also cause a play of the joint, which will tend to relieve the cutting apparatus
from the obstacle which it has encountered.
In order to assist the fingers in passing through a laid crop I sometimes use
lifters in advance of some of the fingers, as is now often practiced. I fix all the
lifters to an horizontal bar, which I attach to the finger bar by mounting it in
bearings, one at either end. I also provide an adjusting screw, by which the bar
can be turned partly round and held so as to be able to set and retain the points
of the lifters as close to the ground as may be desired.
In place of allowing the rotating rakes to sweep the cut crop off the platform on
to the ground I place to receive it as it falls off the side of the platform an open
framework of parallel bars, which are fixed at the front to a transverse bar or axis;
this auxiliary platform is lowered at intervals by the turning of the front bar or
axis, and then the sheaf accumulated upon the framework or auxiliary platform is
discharged on to the ground. The stubble passing up between the bars aids in
causing the delivery of the bundle, and also in closing it together into a compact
sheaf.
The auxiliary platform may be operated automatically by the mechanism of the
implement, or it may be worked by the foot of the driver. I make fingers of cast
iron with steel cutting edges and tips by placing the steel parts in a mould and
then causing cast iron to flow through the mould until the steel is thoroughly
heated; the iron which remains in the mould in cooling unites itself thoroughly
with the steel, so that there is no danger of the parts separating afterwards.
In order to gather the cut crop after the reaping machine I employ an implement
on two wheels, and with rotating rakes like a hay raker; the implement 18 pro-
vided with a seat at the back, and in front of the seat is a grating or open table.
When the implement is at work it is drawn over the ground by a horse, whilst
the rakes are locked so that they do not evolve until sufficient of the crop has
been collected to form a sheaf or bundle. Then a half turn of the rakes is allowed,
which brings up the bundle on to the grated table, and there holds it whilst the
workman passes a tie around it. I employ for the tie a tarred yarn made with a
soft iron wire in the centre. I prepare the ties previously with a loop at one end,
and the other end is drawn through the loop and bent down after the tie has been
passed around the bundle. The bundles thus tied are easily opened, and the ties
are available to be used another time.
In constructing mowing machines the main frame is commonly mounted upon the
axle of the carrying wheels so that it is free only to turn upon the axle. Now I so
mount it that it can play up and down a short distance; springs are applied to
support the frame. This arrangement tends to allow the machine to pass more
freely over obstacles. I also arrange in novel ways the in-and-out gear, the crank
and the guides upon the finger bar for the end of the connecting rod and for the
eye of the knife. In order to cut narrow widths of grass, like garden borders, I
construct a tool on the principle of the reaping machine with a finger bar and
vibrating knife; I cast the finger bar and fingers all of a piece, and I make the
knife of a steel plate with saw-like teeth. At one end of the finger bar a stick or
handle is fixed, by which the tool is drawn over the surface of the grass to be cut,
the person using the tool walking backwards.
The shaft of the crank which works the knife runs by up the side of the stick or
handle, and it has a quick pitched screw thread formed upon it which receives a nut,
and this being worked up and down by the operator the shaft is rotated and the
knife receives a vibratory motion. At the outer end of the finger bar there is an

page_text: incline or lifter to raise any grass which may be overhanging the margin of the
border so as to bring it within the reach of the cutting apparatus.
In order that my said Invention may be most fully understood and readily
carried into effect, I will proceed to describe the Drawings hereunto annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a side elevation partly in section; and Figure 2 is a back elevation of
a portion of a reaping machine constructed according to my Invention.
a, a, is the main frame; it is on the outer side of the main wheel b, and it carries in
the bearing a¹ the axis c of the first motion pinion c¹, c* is a clutch folk by which
this pinion can be thrown in and out of gear; d is a quadrant mounted so as to be
able to turn upon the bearing a¹; it has fixed upon it the stud axle b¹ of the main
driving wheel; d' are teeth on the periphery of the quadrant in gear with a pinion
e; el is a handle by which the axis of the pinion e can be rotated so as to move the
quadrant for the purpose of adjusting the height of the frame and of the cutting
apparatus from the ground; ell is a ratchet with a pawl e¹¹ for locking the pinion
e and preventing the descent of the frame when it has been raised.
There are pro-
Jections on the side of the ratchet between which the handle c¹ enters. The handlo
is loose on the axis and is pressed up to the ratchet by a spring, but by forcing its
upper end outwards it can be made to clear the projections, and then it can be
placed in another space between the projections so that by a to-and-fro movement
of the handle the axis of the pinion e can be completely rotated.
When it is desired to lower the flame the weighted end of the pawl el is lifted.
The pinion c¹ gears with a ring of teeth 611 on the wheel b, and it has on its axis a
bevilled pinion c actuating a bevilled wheel on the inclined axis which at its
upper end has upon it the pinion f" in gear with the toothed wheel g¹. This, wheel
g¹ has fixed upon it the malleable iron head g on which the rakes or gatherers aro
mounted. c is a toothed wheel on the axis e driving a pinion on the stud
axis h; and h¹¹ is a bevilled wheel on the same axis which drives the pinion ¹ on
the shaft i of the crank which works the knife; " is the disc of the crank; j is the
connecting rod; and k is the eye at the end of the knife receiving the end of the
connecting rod.
In the arrangement shown at Figures 1 and 2 it will be observed that the rake
head g is carried upon a stud axis & mounted on the bracket which carries the shaft
f, and this axis is situate immediately over the top of the main wheel b. This
position gives a more advantageous length to the rake arms than if the centre were
placed either on the outer or the inner side of the main wheel as heretofore.
Figures 3 and 4 show an arrangement which has not this peculiarity, the centre
for the rakes being in these Figures on the outer side of the main wheel; m is the
driver's seat; n, n, are the rake arms; four are shown in the Figures above referred to,
but six may be employed as is represented by the plan Figure 5. The rake arms are
carried upon pins n¹, n¹, which radiate from a point in the axis of motion of the head
g; the arms on opposite sides of the centre are connected together by the rigid con-
nections n, of which only one is represented in Figure 5. These connections I
prefer to be of a curved form in order that they may occupy less space than otherwise
would be needed to allow them free play. The rake arms have brackets upon them,
carrying small rollers 111 which as the rakes revolve enter the fixed cam courses
o, o, by which the rakes are controlled. The course taken by the rollers n¹¹ is
governed by the switch o¹ which is better seen in Figure 6. This Figure is a section
taken on the line 1, 1, in Figure 4, p is a rod passing from an arm on the axis of the
switch through the slotted guide p¹ to an arm on the same axis with the tappet q;
p¹¹ is a spring which tends to hold the switch in the position in which it is shown in
Figure 6, but from time to time when the tappet q is acted on by the rotating
nose or cam r the switch is lifted, and it then diverts each roller n¹ as it comes
up on to the upper cam course o¹, and the rakes then do not sweep the cut
crop from the platform. The cam or nose 7 is rotated by means of chain

page_text: pulleys upon its axis and corresponding pulleys upon the under side of the wheel
g. A band chain 8 passes from one set of pulleys to the other. The pulleys, as will
be seen, are arranged in steps, and the band chain can be shifted at pleasure from
one pair of pulleys to another.
When desired the tappet q can by means of the cord q¹ be drawn downwards
below the level of the nose or cam r and for so long as this is done the switch will
remain stationary in the position in which it is shown. The pulleys over which
the chain a passes may be made of any sizes requisite to operate the switch at any
intervals desired; t is the pole of the implement, it is jointed to the frame a and t¹,
and it passes through the adjustable socket t shown also at Figure 7, and in the
socket over and under the pole are india-rubber buffers, so that the pole when at
work is not as heretofore rigidly attached to the frame, but is free to play to some
extent, and in some cases I should prefer to give greater freedom than that which
the Drawings represent. u is a lever on which the driver is intended to place his foot
for the purpose of lifting the cutting apparatus; he will do so more efficiently by
this means than by placing a foot on the ground, especially when the seat is fixed in
the position in which the Drawings show it. The action of the lever, as will be seen,
is to depress the fore end of the frame and to lift the hinder part.
Figure 8 is a plan and Figure 9 is a transverse section of a portion of the cutting
apparatus of a reaping machine, and in connection therewith lifters are shown; the
manner of applying these lifters forms a part of any invention a, a, are the lifters ;
they are arranged at suitable intervals from end to end of the cutting apparatus.
The lifters are of wrought iron and are provided with cast-iron tips a¹, they are all
fixed to a hollow bar b which at its ends is received into bearings on the finger bar
One of these bearings is seen at c; it is easily removeable by unscrewing a nut on
the under side of the finger bar, so that the whole set of lifters can be removed at
once when they are not required They can also be remounted with equal facility,
and to adjust the height of their points from the ground, a single adjusting screw d
is employed; it passes through an arm b¹ on the bar b, and its lower end 1osts on the
finger bai, and so it supports the weight of the lifters By turning the screw it can
be made to project more or less from the under side of the arm b₁, and so it can be
caused to carry the points of the lifters at the height desired.
Figure 10 is a plan and Figure 11 is a side elevation of a portion of a reaping
machine in which an auxiliary platform is provided to receive the cut crop when it
is swept off the main platform by the rakes; a is the main platform and 6 is the
auxiliary platform consisting of an open framework of parallel bars, it is connected
to the main frame of the machine by a hinge joint. The weight of the platform
and that of the crop upon it is sustained by the spring c; d is a treddle by incans of
which the driver can at pleasure depress the platform into the position indicated by
the full lines in Figure 11. The sheaf then lies on the ground and the stubble
passing up amongst it retains it whilst the bars of the platform are drawn out fiom
underneath. The use of this auxiliary platform enables me to dispense with con-
trolling gear in connection with the rakes, and besides this the rakes lay the stand-
ing crop towards the cutting apparatus more efficiently when they are not required
to rise and pass above the already cut crop lying on the platform.
In constructing the fingers of reaping and mowing machines, I place in the moulds
in which the fingers are cast, pieces of steel to form the cutting edges at the top and
bottom of the slot in the finger. A single piece of steel bent to a U form may
advantageously be used to form the top and bottom of the slot. This piece of steel
is inserted in its proper position into a mould of firmly rammed sand or of other
material capable of sustaining the flow of the metal, and cast iron is poured into the
mould, not simply so as to fill it, but in quantity sufficient to run through and to
heat the steel up to its welding point, and then the mould is left full of inetal
which in cooling forms the finger; the cast iron will be found firmly adherent to the
steel.
Figure 12 is an elevation and Figure.13 is a plan of an apparatus constructed
according to my invention and intended to be used in gathering and tyeing cut crops..

page_text: a, a, is the frame of the machine; it has shafts b attached to it on one side so that
the horse may not tread upon the crop. About one half of the entire width of the
maclune is represented in Figure 13, cis the driver's seat, and d is a box at the back
of the machine in which the binder stands. The machine is carried by two wheels,
one of which is seen at e, and on the frame a there is mounted an axis f, upon which
are curved lake-like teeth f¹; g is a pinion upon the rake axis; it gears with a
toothed wheel upon the axis of one of the carrying wheels e This toothed wheel
by means of a clutch can at pleasure be made fast with the axis of the wheel e or
unclutched therefrom. The clutch is operated by a clutch fork, fixed upon the
shaft h, h is a weighted arm upon the shaft h tending to hold the clutch out of
gear, and this is lifted by the driver who pulls a cord when the clutch is required to
engage. The clutch fork also has a projection upon it which at the same time that
the clutch is drawn out of gear engages with a notch formed in the disc i which is
fixed on the rake axis.
By
The operation is as follows:-The clutch being out of gear the implement is drawn
forward by the horse As soon as the driver sees that the stationary rake teeth
have collected sufficient of the crop to form a sheaf, he throws the clutch in and the
rake axis makes a half revolution, after which the projection upon the clutch fork
falls into one of the two notches in the disc 2, and again locks the rake axıs
the semi-rotation of the rake axis the sheaf which has been gathered is carried up
and presented in front of the binder who then draws the cord k so as to bring
forward the fingers 7 which push the sheath before them on the grated table m.
As the sheaf comes forward the binder passes around it the band with which it is
to be bound. The tie may be of tarred yarn containing within it a soft iron wire,
or a straw band may be used. In the former case I sometimes prepare the ties with
loops at their end, as is represented at Figure 14, or the two ends of the tie may
simply be bent the one around the other As the sheaves are bound the binder
places them on the ground behind the machine.
Figure 15 is a side elevation and Figure 16 is a plan of a mowing machine.
Both Figures are partly in section and they illustrate my improvement in con-
necting the frame and the axle so as to allow freedom to the frame to move other-
wise than by rotation around the axle. a, a, are the carrying wheels and b is the
axle; c is the main frame to which the cutting apparatus d is jointed at e in the
usual manner; in place of forming the bearings for the axle b in the frame c separate
bearings ff, are employed, and they are provided with stems f¹ which pass down
through india-rubber spring blocks g inserted into holes prepared for them in the
frame c; the lower ends of the stems f¹ receive washers and nuts, by means of
which the bearings fare securely held in their places, the bearings f have formed
with them sockets f" in which the bar or spindle h, h, is held in a horizontal
position immediately over the axis; upon this spindle the casting i to which the
pole and the seat are fixed is mounted so as to be able to slide, and it can be set
either midway between the wheels or in other position as required, and it can be
there locked by a binding screw; on the axle is a ring of teeth driving a pinion ɩ,
which through the bevilled wheel m and pinion n actuates the shaft carrying the
crank for driving the knife as is usual.
Figure 16 shows a slight modification of the arrangement drawn in Figures 15°
and 16. Here the frame c has curved guides or slots formed upon it which receive
the bearings of the axle b, and steel springs g are applied between the frame and the
bearings of the axle.
There is a peculiarity in the gear for throwing the pinion in and out of work,
and this gear is shown to a larger scale at Figures 17 and 18. Figure 17 is a plan,
partly in section, and Figure 18 is a vertical section. o is the clutch fork; its stem
is continued through a guide in the frame and it is turned up at the end to enter a
hole formed for it in the weighted lever q. This lever has its fulcrum at q¹ on a
fixed pin, which however the eye in the lever fits so loosely that its weighted end'
can be lifted and shifted fron one retaining notch to another. The end of the lever
>

page_text: around the fulcrum is pressed upon by a coiled spring to retain it in its place whilst
allowing sufficient freedom of movement.
The way of forming the crank for driving the knife is also peculiar. It is
represented in section at Figure 19; and Figure 20 is a transverse section taken on
the line 2, 2, in Figure 19. a is the crank disc; it is keyed upon its axis b, and it
has a hole bored in it to receive the round pin or end c of the the connecting rod; the
hole which receives the pin is bushed with brass, and the pin is held in its place by
a large headed bolt & which is passed through it and receives a nut beyond. It
will be remarked, and this is an important feature, that the thickness of the disc is
reduced where the head of the bolt d is received which admits of the end of the
bearing being overlapped by the parts in connection with the end of the connecting
rod, but for this a crank of a sufficiently short throw could not be constructed in
this manner. As will be observed the crank shaft and other parts are bored out to
receive oil.
In the mowing machine shown in Figures 15 and 16 there is also a peculiarity in
the manner in which the end of the connecting rod is retained in the eye on the
extremity of the knife, and in which these parts are guided when at work.
Figure 21 is a plan, and Figure 22 is an elevation, partly in section, showing the
arrangement to a larger scale. a is the finger bar; b, b, the fingers; c, the knife;
and c¹, the eye at its end to receive the end d of the connecting rod; e is a bracket
bolted to the finger bar, and it has hinged to it the flap fon which two guides are
formed; the guide f¹ keeps the end of the connecting rod up to the eye of the
knife, and the guide f¹¹ prevents the eye and extremity of the knife rising when in
work. The slot or opening between these guides is to provide room for the con-
necting rod when the cutting apparatus is turned up to an upright position for
travelling g is a bolt jointed to the bracket e; it serves to hold the flap fin
position, a shoulder upon it supporting a lug on the flap, as the Drawing indicates;
h is a coiled spring which holds the bolt g in its place, but allowing it to be easily
drawn back when desired, and then the flap f can be lifted and the knife and
the connecting rod separated the one from the other. The knife can then be
drawn out.
Figure 23 is a plan, and Figure 24 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a tool
constructed according to my Invention for cutting narrow widths of grass like
garden borders.
a is a finger bar with the fingers cast with it, all of a piece; it is
fixed at one end to the bracket b, in which is a socket to receive the wooden stick
or handle c. By this handle the finger bar is drawn along the surface of the grass
to be cut, the operator walking backwards. dis an axis carried in bearings parallel
to the stick or handle c; a screw thread is formed upon it at its upper end, and
upon the screw thread there is a nut e, and a handle 18 jointed to it. By working
this nut up and down the screw the operator rotates the axis d. e is a disc at the
lower end of the axis d in which is fixed a crank or eccentric pin from which (as
in reaping and mowing machines) a connecting rod passes to the knife and imparts
to it a reciprocating movement. The knife consists of a steel blade with saw-like
teeth, and the eye to receive the end of the connecting rod is rivetted to it. f is an
incline formed at the outer end of the finger bar and descending below it. By
resting against the margin of the border the incline f guides the tool, and it also
serves to lift any grass which may overhang the margin. If desired in place of
fixing the disc e upon the axis d it may be free to rotate thereon in one direction
whilst it is held fast in the other direction by a ratchet and pawl; the disc then
will rotate always in the same direction.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner of per-
forming the same, I would have it understood that I claim,-
First. The train of gear for transmitting motion from the main wheel to the
knife and to the rake arms, substantially as described in respect to Figures 1
and 2.
•
Second. The arrangement of the rake arms to rotate about an axis vertically
over the main wheel, substantially as described in respect to Figures 1 and 2.

page_text: Third. The arrangement of the rake arms on axis radiating from a common
centre, and connecting the opposite arms by a rigid connection, substantially as
described in respect to the Figures 1 to 5.
Fourth. The method of driving at any speed desired the nose or cam which
governs the switch controlling the rake arms, substantially as described in respect
to Figures 3, 4, and 6.
Fifth. The means of connecting the pole to the frame so that it may be able (but
under the control of springs) to play whilst the implement is at work; also the
application of a treddle by which the driver can depress the front of the frame and
raise the hinder end of the frame and the cutting apparatus, substantially as
described in respect to Figures 1 and 3.
Sixth. The application to reaping and mowing machines of lifters in the manner
substantially as described in respect to Figures 8 and 9.
Seventh. The application to reaping machines of an auxiliary platform to receive
the cut crop as it is delivered by the rakes from the main platform and to drop it
at suitable intervals, substantially as described in respect to Figures 10 and 11.
Eighth. The method of constructing cast-iron fingers with steel cutting edges,
substantially as described.
Ninth. The construction of apparatus for gathering and facilitating the binding
of cut crops with rotating rake teeth which are held stationary whilst they collect
the sheaf or bundle, and are then allowed to make a partial rotation to raise the⚫
sheaf to the binder, substantially as described in respect to Figures 12 and 13.
Tenth. The construction of mowing machines in such manner that the frame at
the point of its connection with the axle of the carrying wheels is able not only to
rotate about the axle as heretofore but also under the control of springs to play or
move in relation to the axle otherwise than by rotating, substantially as described
in respect to Figures 15, 16, and 16ª.
Eleventh. The arrangement of gear for throwing in and out the first motion
pinion, substantially as described in respect to Figures 17 and 18.
Twelfth. The construction of the knife crank and parts in connection therewith,
substantially as described in respect to Figures 19 and 20.
Thirteenth The arrangement for retaining the end of the connecting rod in the
oye of the knife and for guiding these parts when at work, substantially as described
in respect to Figures 21 and 22.
Fourteenth. The tool for cutting narrow widths of grass, substantially as described
in respect to Figures 23 and 24.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Edwin Phillips, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Seventh day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
JAMES EDWIN PHILLIPS. (L.S.)