Improvements in Reaping and Mowing Machines.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Dec., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 14th 0.t., 1895-Accepted, 16th Nov., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Reaping and Mowing Machines.
We ALEXANDER SHANKS and JAMES SHANKS Junior, B.Sc., both of Dens
Iron Works, Arbroath in the County of Forfar, Engineers, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
:-
This invention relates to machines used for reaping corn and other crops or for
mowing grass crops and has for its object to prevent or reduce vibration in working
the machine and the tractive power required to draw the machine whilst at work.
With this object we apply a spring or springs to the main driving axle or axles in
such a way that vibrations due to roughness of ground for example are absorbed
or in part absorbed by the springs and objectionable effect upon the other parts
of the machine is counteracted or in great part counteracted. The spring or
springs may be of any suitable shape and material for instance they may be spiral
metal springs or india rubber cushions.
Dated this 12th day of December 1894.
JOHNSONS & WILLCOX,
47 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.
We, ALEXANDER SHANKS and JAMES SHANKS Junior B.Sc. both of Dens
Iron Works Arbroath in the County of Forfar Engineers, 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:-
This invention relates to machines used for reaping corn and other crops, or for
mowing grass crops; and has for its object to prevent, or reduce, vibration in
working the machine and to reduce the tractive power required to draw the
machine whilst at work. The invention refers to machines such as are used for
field work, as distinguished from lawn mowers. With this object springs are
applied to the main driving axle, or axles, in such a way that vibrations, due to
roughness of ground, for example, are absorbed, or in part absorbed, by the springs,
and objectionable effect upon the other parts of the machine is counteracted or in
great part counteracted. The springs may be of any suitable shape and material;
for instance they may be spiral or other form of metal springs, or india rubber
cushions.
In order that this invention may be well understood we will describe with
reference to the accompanying drawing the manner in which it can be applied to
machines having pinions on the axle of the main driving wheel engaging with teeth,
on a "quadrant for adjusting the height of the cut from which its general
application will be understood.
"
Figure 1 is a side elevation and Figure 2 a plan of so much of a reaping and
mowing machine as is necessary to illustrate the application of this invention
thereto. Figure 3 shews in side view, Figure 4 in transverse section, and Figure 5

page_text: in horizontal section, details drawn to a larger scale.
It will be understood that
a like arrangement is used at both sides of the driving wheel of the machine on
which the main weight of the machine rests.
A is the axle on which the main wheel A runs which axle carries a pinion
(one of which is shewn at a) at each end the said pinions engaging with the teeth
in the quadrants B which in ordinary machines are attached rigidly to the frames.
In the arrangement according to this invention however each quadrant works
freely in the guide pieces C, which are fixed to the main frames D of the
machine. The springs E at one end rest upon projecting shelves cast on the
quadrants, and the load is transmitted to them through the main frames D by
the plates 6; the pins e passing through the plates and the shelves 62 rising on
the pins e when the springs are compressed.
The arrangement of pinions and quadrant without the springs is not claimed as
it is an arrangement already in use for adjusting the height of the cut and the
invention is not limited in its application to machines having these quadrants and
pinions the essence of the invention being the intervention of springs between the
main driving axle and the other parts of the machine for the purpose described.
In a machine provided with springs according to this invention the effect of the
wheel coming on a stone, or any inequality in the ground is to cause the main
driving wheel and its axle (or in the arrangement shewn to cause the quadrants B,
to move upwards in the guides C) and to bring increased pressure to bear on the
springs E. The springs being adjusted to the weight of the machine, the latter is
brought gently to rest, entirely obviating any jar or shock and lessening the power
required for traction.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we. declare that what we
claim is
1. The combination with reaping and mowing machines of the kind referred to
of springs; substantially as and for the purpose herein before described.
2. In reaping and mowing machines of the kind referred to, the application of
springs as herein before described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 14th day of October 1895.
JOHNSONS & WILLCOX,
47 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.