Machines and Mode of Attaching same.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 15th June, 1887.
Complete Left, 27th July, 1887.
Complete Accepted, 16th Sept., 1887.
Machines and Mode of Attaching same.
I, CHARLES JOSEPH FOSTER Engineer & Ironfounder of The Foundry House, High
Street Fordington Dorchester Dorset do hereby declare the nature of an invention
for IMPROVEMENTS IN THE FINGER BARS AND FINGERS OF MOWING & REAPING
MACHINES AND MODE OF FIXING SAME TOGETHER to be as follows :-
This invention is to enable the Finger Bar of the Reaping or Mowing Machine to
be made much lighter and the form is so constructed that the Fingers can be more
readily and firmly attached so that the lateral thrust occasioned by cutting Grass and
severely tested when sticks are cut or stones get in the Finger bar can be better
withstood.
I claim the making of the Finger Bar with a corrugation or Grove of a V or U
or square or any other shaped or combination of these shaped Corrugations or Grooves.
And the making and fixing of the Finger by a longitudinal Wedge, Bolt or Key
or two or more of any of the aforesaid corrugations or groves with their Keys Wedges
or Bolts.
The Finger Bars and Fingers can be made of any metal and of any design to suit
existing or other Knives & Machines.
Drawing No. 1. is a representation of the side view of the Finger shewing it in
position in a section of the Finger Bar and Drawing No. 2 is a plan of the same.
The Finger itself can be made of Cast or Forged Steel or of Malleable Iron with
Steel Cutting plate as usually now used on these class of implements.
The Finger Bar is rolled to the section required and afterwards slotted or milled
as shown to take the Fingers. The hole in the Fingers is made a little low and
towards the Front so that in driving in the Taper Bolt Wedge or Key the Finger is
firmly drawn and fixed into Position required.
By this invention I have no projections of any kind above the level of the
Finger Bar.
Datad this 19th dow of Inne 1887

page_text: Machines and Mode of Attaching same.
CHARLES JOSEPH FOSTER of Foundry House, High Street, Fordington Dorchester
Dorsetshire Engineer and Ironfounder do hereby declare the nature of my invention
for FINGER BARS & FINGERS OF MOWING AND REAPING MACHINES & MODE OF
ATTACHING SAME 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 certain improvements in the Finger Bars of Mowing and
Reaping Machines, so constructed that the fingers can be more readily and firmly
attached and to overcome the lateral thrust occasioned by the action of the knife
in cutting Grass, Corn &c. and when more severely tested by sticks or stones.
The finger bar is made corrugated longitudinally, with one, two, three or more
corrugations, these corrugations may be of a V or U or of any other irregular shape
or combination, of shapes of these corrugations or grooves.
In place of the usual bolt hole drilled in the finger bar, I, slot, cut out or leave an
elongated opening through the lower part of one or two of the corrugations as required
and shewn on the accompanying drawing.
The fingers are made of any suitable material or pattern, and in place of having
the part which is attached to the finger bar made broad and of very small vertical
section having also a vertical hole, my finger is made with a much deeper vertical
section at this place of attachment to bar, and the pin or bolt hole, is placed through
it horizontally, surmounted by a projection or lug, these are fitted into the finger
bars, and are secured in position by a taper pin or wedge, and the holes are so con-
structed, that the driving of the wedge, pin, or key, draws and firmly fixes the fingers
to the front of the finger bar so that they do not depend on any nut or screw to keep
them firmly fixed in position.
The finger bar being of this section I am enabled to secure the inner and outer
shoe, by the same arrangement used for attaching the fingers.
Also the bar being corrugated the knife guides are attached by one bolt, screw or
rivet the corrugations, preventing any side movement.
The finger bars can be made of steel, wrought iron, or any other suitable material.
From the foregoing description my invention will be fully understood by those
conversant with Agricultural Machinery.
I annex the accompanying sheet of Drawings, which represents those portions of
the machines necessary to illustrate my improvements.
Fig 1. Shews a plan of part of finger bar A, having finger B, securely attached
in position by the taper pin C.
Fig 2. Gives a vertical section of the finger bar A, with finger B in elevation,
shewing position of the horizontal hole in the lug D in which to insert the taper
pin C.

page_text: 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.
1stly. The making of the finger bar corrugated or grooved, with a slot or opening
as shewn and described, and for the purpose of firmly holding the fingers against all
side strain.
2ndly. The making of the fingers of such a shape, that the hole for the bolt or
wedge by which the finger is fixed in position shall be made horizontally through the
back part of the finger, and not vertical as is usual in these machines.
3rdly. The use of a simple taper split or solid, pin or wedge which being placed
in a corrugation of the finger bar & through the horizontal hole in the finger, firmly
holds, preventing all side motion and dispenses with any nuts or rivet heads.
Dated this 27th day of July Eighteen hundred and Eighty seven.