IMPROVEMENTS IN SHEAF-BINDING MACHINERY OR APPARATUS."
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Hornsby, John Innocent, and George Thomas
Rutter, all of Grantham, in the County of Lincoln, for an Invention of
"
'IMPROVEMENTS IN SHEAF-BINDING MACHINERY OR APPARATUS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Hornsby, John
Innocent, and George Thomas Rutter, at the Office of the Commissioners of
Patents on the 15th October 1881.
JAMES HORNSBY, JOHN INNOCENT, and GEORGE THOMAS RUTTER, all of Grantham,
in the County of Lincoln. 'IMPROVEMENTS IN SHEAF BINDING MACHINERY OR
APPARATUS."
Our Invention relating to improvements in sheaf binding machinery or apparatus
has chiefly reference to that class of machine described in the Specification to former
Letters Patent granted to us, dated 31st March 1881, No. 1426.
According to one part of our present Invention we provide an endless chain ejector
of intermittent action, in lieu of the arrangement of crank ejector described in our
prior Specification above referred to.
For this purpose we arrange one or more pairs of suitable chain-wheels on
convenient axes beneath the binding platform, so that the upper part of the endless
band or chain, which is provided with a suitable number of hooks, barbs, or prongs,
shall travel in a plane parallel to the said table or platform in order to eject the
bound sheaf therefrom at the proper intervals. By preference two pairs of chain
wheels with their pronged endless bands are employed on each side of the compressing
lever at the proper determined distances, so that the sheaf may be simultaneously
ejected from two points near its ends, and consequently avoids the tendency to
move laterally or turn upon the ejector as a centre, and thus materially interfere
with its prompt and efficient delivery. The said chain wheels may be of any
convenient relative diameter, and placed at such distance apart as to obtain any
required differential speed or travel of the ejecting band, as for example, assuming
Den

page_text: the length of the endless bands or chains to be equal to twice the circumference of
the driving chain-wheels, then the former would travel over a second idle pulley or
wheel just half its length to one revolution of the latter.
According to these proportions if two ejecting prongs were situated at each half
length of the band, the one would always be in operation while the second would
be moving up to take its place ready for the following sheaf to be ejected; and also
by this arrangement the ejecting prongs are caused to seize the bound sheaf at the
top of the platform, and maintain their hold of the same until it is clear of the
machine.
According to one convenient arrangement of the chain wheels we mount the idle
chain pullies or wheels on the binder-arm spindle so that the former are free to
revolve independently of the latter's reciprocating motion, and we provide a separate
counter spindle for carrying the fixed driving chain wheels, which spindle is mounted
in suitable bearing attached to the framing of the machine. The distance at which
the two spindles are placed apart is determined by the diameters of the respective
wheels and the length of endless band required.
Intermittent rotary motion may be imparted to the said counter spindle and
drivers by means of their chain wheels and bands receiving their motion from an
intermittent locking toothed wheel fixed on the end of the main binder spindle.
The binding table or platform from which the sheaf is ejected is provided with
slots for the travelling prongs to work in, and is also formed with greater and more
uninterrupted inclination than heretofore, so as to assist the descent of crop and sheaf,
and also allow the latter to be more freely ejected than in the form of platform
described in our said former Specification.
In practice it has been found desirable to support the crop and sheaf during the
operation of binding by some additional or supplementary means further than that
provided by the compressing lever and binding arm. For this purpose we arrange
on either side of the said lever suitable retaining flaps hinged to the face of the
binding platform, which are actuated mechanically so as to stand out at right angles
to the said platform during the previously mentioned operation, for the purpose of
holding up the cut crop uniformly. When the bound sheaf is ready to be ejected,
the flaps are caused to fall down on the platform, so as to offer no obstruction.
This intermittent angular motion may be imparted to the said flaps by means of
slotted connected rods provided beneath the platform, which are secured at one end
by pin or knuckle joints to hinge brackets provided on the undersides of the flaps,
while the slotted extremities engage with pins or studs formed on two or more small
cranks fixed on the binder arm spindle. By this arrangement a delay motion is
obtained, whereby the binder arm is allowed to make a certain definite movement
before the flaps are caused to rise from the platform. We also propose to employ a
conical friction or tension roller, in order to ensure a definite and uniform tensile
strain upon the binding string or cord, so as to prevent unnecessary slack, and at
the same time only sufficiently retard the passage of the string to such extent as
will not interfere with binding and knotting operations.
This tension device may
consist of a conical roller or barrel mounted upon a suitable spindle provided with
a helical spring and thumb screw or nut, so that the spring may be compressed and
forced against the one side of the roller or barrel so as to retard its revolution to
any required extent. The string or cord passes from the aperture in the string
box through suitable staples or guides to the tension roller, round which a suitable
number of convolutions are formed before passing to the binder arm.
roller having a conical surface, the string passing over it is caused to slide down to
occupy a definite and uniform position independent of the manner in which the
string may be fed thereto.
The said
Between this tension apparatus and the binder arm a whip spring may be
provided, with a suitable eye for the passage of the binding string. By this
arrangement an automatic compensation is effected for the reciprocating movements
of the binder arm, so that a certain amount of slack is given to the string upon the

page_text: forward motion of the said arm overcoming the elastic resistance of the spring,
and conversely as the arm returns the slack is again gradually taken up by its
recoil.
In the Specification previously referred to we described a method of obtaining
an intermittent packing action from continuously revolving claws, by causing their
heel pieces to traverse in either an inner or outer concentric cam path. These
guiding paths or surfaces were formed of rigid curved ribs cast on bracket pieces,
which are found to be objectionable in practice. According to our present Invention
we employ a curved inner guiding piece in a higher position, and which is also free
to oscillate about one extremity by overcoming the resistance of a helical or other
suitable spring placed behind it, so that as the heels of the claws successively
present themselves they are caused to travel silently down the inner curved
guiding surface, which is free to offer any compensation for the passage of the heel
pieces.
In order to prevent the claws, which are subjected to considerable force, from
violently receding from the peripheries of the packing disc when their heel pieces
become suddenly released from the outer concentric guiding surfaces or ribs, we
provide an angular auxiliary guiding piece at the termination of the outer rib, and
which is capable of occupying only a certain definite inclination, but may be
moved so as to occupy an extended path in the same curvilinear plane as the outer
rib.
By this arrangement it will be readily understood that as the heel pieces of the
claws arrive at the end of the outer guides they are caused to quietly recede
down the additional inclined path until clear of the reaction of the compressed
sheaf.
On the other hand when the heel pieces are caused to traverse the inner path, as
and for the purposes previously alluded to, the first one necessarily meets the
angular guide from the outer rib extending across its way and thereby forces it out
to occupy & position clear of the succeeding ones.
The lever which works the switches for controlling the path of the packing
claws by means of a roller and a recessed collar on the binder spindle may be more
conveniently maintained in close contact with such collar by means of a tension
spring connected to the back of the said lever below its fulcrum.
According to further improvements we arrange the working of the knotting
apparatus, so as to be independent of the resistance of differential spring power
which was employed in the arrangement described in our said former Specification.
For this purpose no springs are used in direct connection with the knotter itself,
but all the required movements of the tube and internal hook for the operations of
knotting, and also for cutting and retaining, are derived from the cam wheel fixed
on the binder spindle.
The knotter tube is protruded by means of a rocking spindle actuated by cams
or projections on the face of the said wheel, while the cutting and retaining
mechanism is similarly worked by a recess formed on the peripheral face of the
wheel, as heretofore. But the reciprocating movements of the internal hook are
obtained by a separate cam motion derived from the face of the cam wheel, which
imparts a sliding movement to a tubular spindle in opposition to helical spring, the
said spindle being arranged parallel or in any other convenient relative position to
the internal hook of the knotter, and suitably coupled by a cross head or other
connecting device.
It has been likewise found desirable to adopt some additional measures to assure
the cut crop being properly delivered to the packing and binding machinery further
than the provisions afforded by the laterally moving table or platform. Such automatic
regulation of the crop is particularly necessary in that class of machines in which
the crop
fed to the binding apparatus by means of revolving endless bands or
aprons. For this purpose we provide the platform with an adjustable curved bar
carried in any convenient manner, and which serves to hold up or maintain the

page_text: heavy ends of the crop parallel to the platform on which it is to be bound. By
this means the common tendency that the heavy ends of crop has to move or
slide away laterally in angular relation to the binding apparatus is effectually
.overcome.
At the opposite end of the platform, or to the front of the machine, we arrange
a small endless apron or band capable of angular adjustment, and which may be
conveniently driven by bevel gearing from the elevating rolls. By this arrangement
the butts or cut ends of the crop are continually moved end ways along the platform,
so as to obtain a compact and uniform sheaf to be bound, whilst at the same time
a simple adjustment of the crop to the machine is effected instead of the cumber-
some operation of adjusting the machine to the crop.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said James Hornsby, John Innocent, and George Thomas Rutter, in the
Great Seal Patent Office on the 15th April 1882.
"
JAMES HORNSBY, JOHN INNOCENT, and GEORGE THOMAS RUTTER, all of Grantham,
in the County of Lincoln. IMPROVEMENTS IN SHEAF BINDING MACHINERY OR
APPARATUS."
Our said Invention relating to improvements in sheaf binding machinery or
apparatus has reference chiefly to improvements particularly applicable to that
class of machine described in the Specification to former Letters Patent granted to
us and dated the 31st of March 1881, No. 1426.
According to one part of our present Invention we provide a conical friction or
tension roller, over which the string, cord, or binding material passes from the box
to the binder arm, whereby a definite and uniform tensile strain is secured, so as to
prevent any unnecessary slack during the binding and tying operations.
Another part of our Invention relates to improvements in and simplification of
the packing mechanism, described in our prior Specification above referred to, and
in which continuously revolving claws are employed capable of being rendered
intermittently inoperative by causing their heel pieces to travel in inner concentric
cam paths or guiding surfaces.
According to the present arrangement the inner rigid guiding or cam surfaces
are dispensed with, and spring guiding pieces provided in lieu thereof, so that they
give to or allow for any irregularities in the action of the revolving packing claws,
so as to ensure easy and silent operation. For a like purpose a similar moreable
piece is provided at the ends of the outer guiding or cam surfaces, so as to
the heels of the packing claws to silently recede from the peripheries
packing discs when they become suddenly released from the reaction of the
compressed or packed crop.
'1se
he
According to further improvements we arrange the working of the knotting
apparatus so as to be independent of the resistance of differential spring power as
employed in the arrangement described in our aforesaid prior Specification. For
this purpose no springs are used in direct connection with the knotter itself, while
all the necessary movement of the tube, hook, knife, and retainer are similarly
derived from an intermittently revolving cam wheel, as heretofore, and as hereinafter
more fully described.
And finally, in accordance with our present Invention, we provide at one end of
the binding platform a small endless travelling apron or band capable of angular
adjustment in addition to the usual gearing provided for moving the platform
laterally, by which great advantage is obtained in operating upon crops of extreme
and variable lengths.
And in order that our said Invention may be fully understood, we shall now
proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose shall refer to
the several Figures on the annexed Sheet of Drawings, the same letters of reference
indicating corresponding parts in all the Figures.
Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawings represents a side elevation of the
conical tension apparatus constructed according to our said Invention.
Figure 2 is a part transverse sectional elevation of the packing apparatus with
our said improvements applied thereto.
Figure and 4 shew to a smaller scale a part side elevation and transverse
sectional elevation respectively of the knotting apparatus arranged according to our
present improvements, while Figure 5 represents a detail view of a portion of such

page_text: apparatus relating to the actuation of the knotter hook, and Figure 6 is a side view
of a harvesting machine provided with a laterally adjustable sheaf binding platform
or table, and also fitted with a small endless travelling band or apron, capable of
angular adjustment, in accordance with the last part of our said Invention.
Referring to Figure 1, K is the conical friction or tension roller provided to
ensure a definite and uniform tensile strain upon the binding string or cord, so 88
to prevent unnecessary slack, while at the same time to only sufficiently retard the
passage of the string to such extent as will not interfere with the binding and
knotting operations. This tension device may consist of the conical roller or
barrel K mounted upon a suitable spindle i, provided with a collar k fitting on a
square part (i) formed thereon, so that by turning the thumb screw or nut j, the
helical spring may be compressed or released, and so more or less force the
collar and conical drum K against the shoulder or collar l, whereby its revolutions
are retarded to any required extent. The string or cord c passes from the aperture
in the string box through suitable staples or guides, and the guiding arm k¹ to the
tension roller or drum k, round which a suitable number of convolutions are formed
before passing to the binder arm in the direction shewn at c¹. The said roller or
drum being formed with a conical surface, the string passing over it is caused to
slide down to occupy a definite and uniform position independent of the manner
in which the string or binding material may be fed thereto.
Between the tension apparatus and the binder arm a whip spring may be
provided, of known construction, with a suitable eye for the passage of the binding
material. By such arrangement an automatic compensation is effected for the
reciprocating movements of the binder arm, so that a certain amount of slack is
given to the string upon the forward motion of the said arm overcoming the elastic
resistance of the spring; and conversely, as the arm returns, the slack is again
gradually taken up by its recoil.
The fixed guiding paths or surfaces hitherto employed in connection with the
packing apparatus, and formed of rigid curved ribs cast on bracket pieces as herein-
before referred to, have been found by practice to be objectionable. We therefore
now propose to employ a curved inner guiding piece g¹, as shewn at Figure 2, in a
higher position than heretofore, and which is mounted free to oscillate about one
extremity g, upon overcoming the resistance of a helical or other suitable spring h
placed behind it in any convenient position, so that as the heels of the packing claws
successively present themselves they are caused to travel silently down the inner
curved guiding surface g¹, which is free to offer compensation for the passage of the
heel pieces.
In order to prevent the said claws, which are periodically subjected to con-
siderable force or reaction from the packed crop, from violently receding from the
periphery of the packing disc H, when their heel pieces become suddenly released
from the outer concentric guiding surface or rib g, we provide an angular auxiliary
guiding piece at I at the termination of the said outer rib, and which is capable of
occupying only a certain definite inclination, but may be moved so as to occupy an
extended path in the same curva-linear plane as the aforesaid outer rib g³, and as
indicated by the dotted outline at I. M, M², are suitable stops, which may be of
any convenient form and disposition, for limiting the motion of the piece I to the
desired extent.
By this arrangement it will be readily understood that as the heel pieces of the
packing claws arrive at the end of the outer cam path or guiding surface g, they
are caused to quietly recede down the additional inclined path provided by I until
clear of the reaction of the compressed or packed sheaf. By this means an easy
and silent action of the parts is obtained, and the wear of this portion of the
machine considerably reduced.
On the other hand when the heel pieces of the packing claws are caused to
traverse the inner path by g' (as and for the purposes fully described in the
Specification to our aforesaid prior Letters Patent), the first one effecting its
passage necessarily meets the angular guiding piece I, extending from the outer rib

page_text: across its path, and thereby forces it out to occupy a position as represented at 1º,
so as to be clear of the succeeding ones.
The lever g, which works the switch G³ by the rod g³ (for controlling the path
of the packing claws), through the intervention of a roller and a recessed collar on
the binder spindle (as fully described in our former Specification hereinbefore
mentioned), may be more conveniently maintained in close contact with such
recessed collar by means of a tension spring connected to the back of the said lever
at a convenient position below its fulcrum.
The general construction and operation of the entire apparatus and parts will be
more fully understood upon reference to our above mentioned Specification to our
former Letters Patent.
According to further improvements we arrange the working of the knotting
apparatus of the type described in our aforesaid prior Specification, so as to be
independent of the resistance and action of differential spring power, arranged
within one tube or chamber, as hitherto employed. For this purpose we dispense
with the use of springs in direct connection with the knotter itself, while all the
required movements of the tube and internal hook for the operations of tyeing,
as also for cutting and retaining the binding material, are derived from an
intermittently revolving cam wheel fixed on the binder spindle as heretofore
employed.
The knotter tube t (see Figures 3 and 4) is protruded by means of a rocking
tubular sleeve or boss g³ mounted on the rocking spindle q, actuated by a cam or
projection P¹ formed on the face of the said cam wheel P, while the cutting
and retaining mechanism is similarly worked by the recess P formed on
the peripheral face of the said wheel, and operating the roller q and lever q
as described in our said former Specification. But the necessary reciprocating
movements of the internal hook t¹ are obtained by a separate cam motion derived
from the projections P², P³, provided on the opposite face of the cam wheel P, and
which imparts an intermittent sliding or rectilinear reciprocating motion to a
tubular spindler in opposition to a helical spring 8, the said spindle being arranged
parallel or in any other convenient relative position to the internal book of the
knotter, and suitably coupled by a cross head or connecting device q, as shewn at
Figs. 3, 4, and 5, of the Drawings. The tube t is actuated at the proper intervals
by means of the roller q' coming in contact with the cam projection P¹, which
imparts an angular reciprocating motion to the rocking sleeve q* and arm ¹ so as
to protrude the tube, the return of the same being effected by the reaction of the
spring in connection with the arm carrying the roller q¹.
The tubular spindler for actuating the hook t' is provided with a projection or
boss working in the guides S¹ and carrying the roller S, which intermittently
engages with the cam surfaces P' and P³, so as to force the said spindler within
its chamber R in opposition to the spring 8, and thus protrude the book at the
required intervals. When the said cam projections have cleared the roller S, the
hook and spindle are returned or forced back to their normal position by the recoil
of the said spring.
The other arrangements and operations of the differential gearing and parts for
actuating this type of knotting apparatus are exactly similar to those fully
explained in our aforesaid prior Specification, hereinbefore referred to, and similar
letters of reference relate to corresponding parts therein more fully described.
At Figure 6 is shewn a side view of a harvesting machine provided with the
ordinary laterally adjustable binding table or platform D, and in addition thereto
the small endless travelling canvass band or apron E, arranged in accordance with
the last part of our Invention. The platform or table D, on which the packing
and binding mechanism, as fixed in the ordinary manner, is provided with rollers d
mounted on a rail, so as to be capable of being moved laterally in either direction
by means of the hand spindle & working a rack and pinion motion sprocket wheels
with an endless chain d³, or similar well known device, and as also referred to in
our aforesaid prior Specification. The top of the platform is arranged to work in a

page_text: suitable groove or guide piece of carried by the framing of the machine, the actual
configuration or form of the said binding platform being according to desire or
convenience. At the opposite end of the platform, or to the front of the machine,
the small endless travelling apron or band E is arranged, and which is capable of
angular adjustment by the rode as represented. This endless band may be
conveniently driven by bevel gearing C from the elevating rolls a or b, or by other
equivalent sources and means of motion. By this arrangement the butts or cut
ends of the crop are continually moved endways along the platform so as to obtain
a compact and uniform sheaf ready for binding, whilst at the same time a simple
adjustment of the crop to the machine is effected instead of the cumbersome
operation of adjusting the machine to the crop.
When however the crops are of extremely short lengths, which would necessitate
a very oblique or angular position of the endless band, a lateral adjustment of the
table is effected so as to render the functions of the former more effectual.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of our said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original,
and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the hereinbefore in part
recited Letters Patent is,-
First. The use in sheaf binding machinery or apparatus of a conical tension
roller or drum, constructed and operating substantially as and for the purposes
herein before described, and illustrated at Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawings.
Second. In packing apparatus of sheaf binding machinery of the class referred
to in the Specification of the said Letters Patent, No. 142681, the construction and
arrangement of the moveable guiding surfaces for rendering the operation of the
packing claws more silent and easy, substantially as herein before described with
reference to Figure 2 of the accompanying Drawings.
Third. In cord or string knotting apparatus of sheaf binding machinery of the
type referred to in the preceding claim, the construction and arrangement of
mechanism for actuating the knotting apparatus without differential spring power
or resistance in immediate connection therewith, substantially as hereinbefore
described with reference to Figures 3, 4, and 5, of the accompanying Drawings.
Fourth. The use in sheafbinding machinery of an adjustable table or platform
in combination with an endless travelling band or apron capable of angular
adjustment, and so combined and arranged to operate, substantially as and for the
purposes herein before described, and with reference to Figure 6 of the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Innocent, on behalf of myself and of
the said James Hornsby and George Thomas Rutter, have to this our
Specification set my hand and seal, this Thirteenth day of April, One
thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
JOHN INNOCENT. (L.S.)