An Improved Mowing and Reaping Machine.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Dec., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 10th Mar., 1891-Accepted, 9th May, 1891
PROVISIONAL, SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Mowing and Reaping Machine.
GEORGE CHARLES TOPP of Brandon Lodge Wood Green in the County of
Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows
This invention relates to mowing and reaping machines and has for its object the
substitution of a rotary motion of the blades for the present intermittent crank
motion of the knife bar.
In place of the usual fixed fingers with a cutting edge at each side of the base, I
use fingers with a cutting edge on one side only.
In place of the movable knife bar carrying truncated triangular knives with
cutting edges on each side worked reciprocally, I use blades sharpened on one side
only, and that one inclined at an angle to the cutting side of the fixed fingers.
The blades attach to an endless band carried round pulleys which are driven
by gearing from the bearing wheels of the machine.
The advantages I claim for this machine are a saving of power by the substitution
of a rotary for an intermittent reciprocating motion and an increased efficiency in
the cutting power through the form given to the blades and fixed fingers.
Dated this 17th day of December 1890.
LE FEVRE & CO.,
26, Budge Row, E.C., Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (AMENDED).
An Improved Mowing and Reaping Machine.
I GEORGE CHARLES TOPP of Brandon Lodge, Wood Green in the County of
Middlesex, Civil 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:-
This invention relates to mowing and reaping machines and has for its object the
substitution of a rotary-motion of the blades for the present intermittent crank
motion of the knife bur in reciprocating machines; and of fingers and blades which
operate so as to enclose and firmly hold the stalks of corn, grass or other material
before and when cutting, for the present open knife or band saw machines.
In mowing and reaping machines hitherto used the movement of the cutter
whether reciprocating or continuous must be very rapid in order to be effective.
This is rendered necessary owing to the little resistance which the corn or grass
offers to the onward motion of the machine as the stalks or blades of grass
possessing little rigidity have a tendency to be pushed down and remain uncut.
It is for the purpose of effecting a caring of power by the substitution of a low
spend rotary for high speed reciprocating motion and for rendering the effectiveness
of the cutter independent of its rapid movement through the form given to the
blades and fixed fingers that the present invention is designed.

page_text: The general construction of the body of the machine or the means by which the
driving power is obtained from the bearing carrying wheels does not differ from
that of other similar machines, the invention consisting in the manner in which
the power thus obtained is economised and the cut rendered more effective and
powerful.
In order that my said invention may be more readily understood and carried into
effect I will proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying
drawing in which similar letters denote corresponding parts of the machine.
Fig. is a plan of the machine, a portion being shewn in section.
Figs. 2, 3, 4 &5 represent details.
Referring to Fig. 1. motion is communicated to the horizontal pulley 'F' from
the carrying wheels A A' through the medium of the wheels BC D'E' or
in any other suitable manner being provided with a clutch for throwing the same
out of gear, an arrangement for increasing or diminishing the speed, and for raising
the cutter bar off the ground. The driving pulley F' turns horizontally and
is slotted so as to receive the heel of the revolving blades, and steady them, and
studded to prevent them from slipping; it is fixed at the inner end of the cutter
bar, at the other end of which a similar pulley F. I.' of smaller diameter and
without studs is placed, slightly more forward and in a moveable-bearing which
admits of the string of blades being tightened or removed at will.
Round these two horizontal pulleys a string of blades revolves passing on the
front side through or across fixed fingers. These blades I, 1' are sharpened on one
side only and are hung or fixed together so that their cutting edges; which may be
either straight or curved make acute angles; preferably of 45 degrees but any
other acute angle may be used; with the cutting edges of the fingers. The toc of
the blades is made preferably square shaped but it may be round or any other
shape.
The fingers 'H'H' through or across which the blades pass are made with a
straight cutting edge on one side only, that towards which the blades revolve, and
are bolted at right angles to the-finger bar their edge making an acute angle with
that of the blades.
The edge of the cutter bar to which the fingers H H are bolted is fixed to
the body of the machine by means of screws KK which can be adjusted so as to
alter the position of the finger bar and allow it to be shifted forward so as to cover
all or a portion of the revolving blades, thus lessening the size and increasing the
power of the cut and converting a reaping into a mowing machine.
The following is the method in which the improved machine operates when it is
drawn forward.
The bearing carrying wheels 'A A' through the medium of the wheels-"B. C. D.
E. F. impart motion to the string of blades I. I. These blades will owing to
their shape require to travel at a much lower rate of speed than the cutters in the
present machines do, thus effecting a large economy of power. As the machine
works forward, the stalks of corn and blades of grass or other material pass between
the fingers HH;' and as the blades II' pass through or across them they are
imprisoned between the edges of the blades, the perpendicular sides of the fingers,
and the face of the finger bar. Being thus firmly held in position they are easily
cut off in the onward motion of the revolving blades which will require little power
to drive them since they do not depend for the efficacy of their cut on any high
rate of speed. Thus differing essentially from the present machines which do not
imprison the corn or grass before cutting it and which can only be worked
satisfactorily at a high rate of speed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
First. In mowing and reaping machines-the-substitution of a low speed rotary
for a high swood mainrentimen
the L

page_text: the fort
their velocity; substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore described.
Second First. The use of blades with a straight or curved cutting edge on one
side only inclined at an acute angle towards and acting across perpendicular sided
fingers, so as when in motion to imprison and firmly hold the stalks of corn or other
material before cutting them off; substantially as and for the purposes, hereinbefore
described.
Third Secondt. The slotted horizontal pulleys substantially as and for the purposes
specified.
Fourth. Third. The improved mowing and reaping machine arranged substantially
as above described.
1
1 1001
LE FEVRE & Co.,
26, Budge Row, Cannon Street, City, Agents.