IMPROVEMENTS IN KNOTTING APPARATUS FOR SHEAF BINDING MACHINES
Year: 1884

page_text: I, SHIRLEY BOWDEN of 33 Southampton Buildings, Holborn, in the County of
Middlesex Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of my said invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN KNOTTING APPARATUS FOR SHEAF BINDING MACHINES to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in the knotting apparatus of binding
machines and has for its object to produce a simple, cheap and effective knotting
hook that is certain in operation and not liable to get out of order.
The ordinary knotting hook hitherto in general use is composed of several
separate parts, videlicet a knotting hook, a movable jaw, a friction roller-an
eccentric faced bearing—and a spring and cam; while the proper tying of the knot
depends upon the perfect adjustment of such spring and bearing.
These after very little wear become very uncertain and either fail altogether in
their action or only form an imperfect knot and hence the cause of so many loose
and imperfectly tied sheaves.
Now in order to simplify this complex construction and obviate the various
disadvantages incidental thereto I have invented a single action knotting hook
which is made in one single piece and consists of a shank and head, the latter
being furnished with a rigid upper and lower jaw and collar-The lower jaw is
tapered and curves upwards so as to form a tooth, while the upper jaw is tapered
and shaped so as to form externally a curved shoulder and internally a hollow
recess between the two jaws while it terminates at its point in a hook that pre-
ferably projects inwards obliquely. This hook forms a retaining hook-and may—
if perferred be formed on the lower instead of on the upper jaw-The shank and
head may also if preferred, be made separate from each other and afterwards
fastened together;--and such shank may either be fitted to or formed on the head
centrally or eccentrically as may be most convenient.
The advantages of this improved knotting apparatus are simplicity, efficiency,
durability and economy.

page_text: I SHIRLEY BOWDEN of 33 Southampton Buildings Holborn Middlesex Gentleman
do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN KNOTTING
APPARATUS FOR SHEAF BINDING MACHINES 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 improvements in the knotting apparatus of sheaf
binding machines and has for its object to produce a simple cheap and effective
knotting hook that is certain in operation, and not liable to get out of order.
The ordinary knotting hook hitherto in general use is composed of several
separate parts, videlicet, a knotting hook, a movable jaw, a friction roller, an
eccentric faced bearing, and a spring and cam; while the proper tying of the knot
depends upon the perfect adjustment of such spring and bearing.
These after very little wear become very uncertain in their action, and either
fail altogether, or only form an imperfect knot; and hence the cause of so many
loose and imperfectly tied sheaves.
Now in order to simplify this complex construction and obviate the various
disadvantages incidental thereto I have invented a single action knotting hook
which is made in one single piece and consists of a shank and head the latter
being furnished with rigid upper and lower jaws and collar The lower jaw is
tapered and curves upwards so as to form a tooth, while the upper jaw is tapered
and shaped, so as to form externally a curved shoulder, and internally a hollow
recess between the two jaws; and terminates at its point in a hook, that, pre-
ferably, projects inwards obliquely-This hook forms a retaining hook-and may
if preferred be formed on the lower, instead of on the upper jaw-The shank and
head may also if preferred be made separate from each other, and afterwards
fastened together; and such shank may either be fitted to, or formed on, the head
centrally or eccentrically, as may be most convenient.
With regard to such retaining hook I would here observe, that this feature of my
invention may be advantageously applied to existing knotting apparatus. so as to
impart increased efficiency thereto.
The advantages of this improved knotting apparatus are simplicity, efficiency,
durability and economy.
In the accompanying drawings Fig: 1 shews a view in side elevation of one of
such improved knotting hooks, (a) is the shank (b) the head—(c) (d) upper and
lower jaws (e) collar-(f) tooth-(g) retaining hook-Fig: 2 shews a back
elevation of one of such hooks with the shank placed about 3/8ths of an inch from
the centre, so as to impart an eccentric motion to the hook. Figs: 3, 4, 5, 6,
illustrate the operation of my improved knotting hook, which is as follows:-
Hold the twine between the thumb and fore finger of the left hand; the end
across the palm and held between the two last fingers, while with the right hand,
you hold the knotting hook as shewn in Fig: 3-Then turn it completely round so
that the twine is twisted around the hook, as shewn in Fig: 4.

page_text: Just before the hook comes round to its starting position, the short end of the
twine which is held by the little finger will pass between the jaws into the retaining
hook. Then draw the two ends of the twine forward off the knotter in the
direction of the arrow, thus tying the knot; while the short end is retained by the
retaining hook as seen in figure 5-Fig: 6 shews the knot loose-The ends of the
twine are then cut by the machine knife; and, owing to such ends lying close
against the knife while being cut, they are cut short, and are therefore easily pulled
through.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
1° A single action knotting hook, consisting of a shank and head, made either
in one piece or separate ;-the head being formed with a rigid upper and lower jaw,
and collar, and furnished with a retaining hook; all as hereinbefore specified and
shewn.
2° Placing the shank of the hook either in a central or eccentric position as
hereinbefore specified.
3° Forming a retaining hook either upon the upper or lower jaw of a knotting
apparatus and placing the same at any convenient angle as herein before specified.
Dated this 17th day of February 1005
SHIRLEY BOWDEN,
33, Southampton Buildings, Holborn,
London.