Improvements in or appertaining to Flax Pulling Machines.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 26th June, 1894-Accepted, 28th July, 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or appertaining to Flax Pulling Machines.
A communication by Lucius POND ORDWAY, of St. Paul, in the County of
Ramsey and State of Minnesota, United States of America, Merchant.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON F.C.S. M.I.M.E. of The Agency for
Foreign Patent Solicitors, 6 Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6 Bank Street,
Manchester, both in the County of Lancaster and 323 High Holborn 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 flax pulling machines, especially that type in which the
flax is pulled from the ground by means of a reel having clamping wings adapted
to engage the tops of the flax as driven by the forward movement of the machine,
and to pull it from the ground and carry it backward and deposit it upon the
carrier of the machine; and consists in an improved construction of the clamping
members or wings of the reel and means for operating the same, and in means for
automatically thrusting the flax out of the clamps when released; by the opening
of the clamps and also means for raising and lowering the reel to adjust it to
different heights of flax.
Other features of the invention will appear in the following description and
claims taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which
Fig. is a side elevation of the improved flax puller showing the means for
raising and lowering the reel, and the relative arrangement of the wings upon the
reel, and the means for forcing the flax out of the clamps when their grip is
released;
Fig. 2 is a detail, partial end elevation of the reel, the cam being removed,
showing the method of adjustably securing the fixed wings, and the arrangement
of the hinged wings;
Fig. 3 is a detail of the cam for operating the hinged wings;
Fig. 4 is a detail of one of the arms of one of the hinged wings, and a portion
of the connecting angle bar;
Fig. 5 is a cross section of a modified construction of the reel showing the
arrangement and construction of the fixed wings of the reel and of the hinged or
clamp wings and the means for operating the same,
and
Fig. 6 is a front elevation and partial longitudinal section of this modified
construction of reel, showing the arrangement of the parts and the means for
driving the same.
In the drawings, 2 represents the frame of the machine, which is of the type of
an ordinary harvester, supported upon the drive wheel 3, and the carrying wheel 4,
and provided with the carriers or aprons 5 and 6. At the front of the machine
are arranged the standards 7, connected at the bottom to the frame 2, and having
the braces 8. The reel shaft 9 is journalled at each end in the cam plates 10,
which are fitted with guides 11 for engaging and supporting the same upon the
standards 7, the whole being suspended by means of chains or cables 12 connected
to said bearings in the cam plates at each end of the shaft, and running over
sheaves 13 journalled at the top of the standards 7, thence downward, and over
These sheaves
the drums or sheaves (not shown), at the bottom of the braces 8.
are secured rigidly upon the shaft 14, also provided with the drum 15, upon which
is secured and adapted to be wound the chain or cable 16, in a reverse direction
from the windings of the chains 12 upon the sheaves. The chain 16 is connerted
to the fulcrum end of the lever 17, which is pivoted to the frame of the machine,

page_text: and is preferably provided with a seginental gear or ratchet 18, with which a dog 19
controlled by the auxiliary handle 20 is adapted to engage to lock the lever in
adjusted positions; the lever being placed in convenient position to the operator
when in the seat 21. The reel shaft 9 is driven from the shaft. (not shown) of the
drive wheel 3. by means of the link belt 22 running over the sprockets 23 and 24,
thence over the sprocket 25 upon its shaft (not shown). This sprocket shaft is
connected to the reel shaft by means of an intermediate or coupling shaft, having
universal joint connections with said shafts 26 and 27 are intermeshing genrs upon
the carrier shafts 28 and 29, for driving carriers or belts as in the ordinary con-
struction of harvesters, but form no part of the present invention. Secured to
ench end of the shaft 9 next the cams 10, are the wings or discs 30, to which are
adjustably secured the arms 31 of the fixed wings A of the reel. The adjustment
is made by means of a slot 32 through which passes the securing screw or bolt 33,
into the dise or ring, so that the length of the arm or wings may be radially
adjusted. The wings are secured to each other and stayed by means of the ring 34
concentric with the shaft, to which the wing arms are secured by means of the
screws 35 passing through the slots 36 in the arms. The rings 34 are also provided
with suitable bearings 37 to receive the journals 38 of the arms 39, of the hinged
wings B. To the outer ends of the journals 38 are connected the cranks 82, the
crank pins 40 of which are provided preferably with anti-friction rolls 41, running
in the groove or guide 42 of the cam or eccentric 10. The cross bars 43 of the
hinged wings, are made of V-shaped angle iron to fit the angle irons 44 of the
fixed wings, and are preferably provided with reverse angles 45 to overlap and
bear upon the edges of the angle irons 43 so as to increase their clamping power
or grip. The groove 42 of the cam or eccentric 10 is such that each wing Bis
held against the adjacent rear fixed wing, through the upper are of rotation, but is
turned on its hinge to close it against the adjacent fixed wing, with the angle irous
of the wings in'engagement with each other, during the lower are of rotation, the
relative positions of the wings being clearly indicated on Fig. 1 at different points
in the path of rotation of the reel.
In order to hold the hinged wings against the fixed wings with elastic pressure,
and to adapt them to different quantities of flax, spring controlled sliding blocks 46
and 47 are arranged in the cam, which serve as the inner wall of the groove 42,
through the are of rotation of the reel when the clamps are closed. These blocks
are held preferably by suitable guides 48 and 49, and the screw 50 from displace-
ment, and are actunted or thrust forward by means of springs 51 and 52,
Burrounding the pins or shafts 53, which slide in the guide 54. The hinged wings
are journaled preferably much closer to the fixed wings in their rear, than to those
in front, so as to get a better clamping action when closed against the forward
wings, and so that when open the hinged wings shall project beyond the fixed
wings, as shown in Fig. 1. In order to secure a quick closing action of the
hinged wings, an inner angle 55 is provided in the groove 42, at the point where the
hinged wing is to close, the inner wall of the groove at this point being preferably
removed, as shown in Fig. 3. In order to carry the crank around the angle 55
quickly, so that it will be held in the groove between the block 46 and the outer
wall of the groove, spiral springs 56 are provided connecting the arms of the
hinged wings with the arms of the fixed wings immediately forward, so that as
soon as the crank pins of a hinged wing reach the angle, the spring acts to throw
the wing forward and carry the crank pin along close to the outer wall 57 of the
groove. The shape of the groove next the blocks 46 and 47 is an are of a circle
having its center at the axis of the shaft 9, so that the wings are clamped together
with uniform pressure while passing through this are, the length of the are
determining the distance through which the wings move in closed position. In
order to throw the flax out of the clamp when it is released from the pressure by
the openings of the wings, a clearer C in the form of a bail or sliding wing is
provided, the arms 58 of which are held in guides 59 upon the arms of the hinged
wings. These arms are provided with spiral springs 60 which tend to slide the

page_text: bail outward upon the wing, so that its cross bar (not shown) projects some inches
beyond the cross bar of the wing. The inner ends of the arms 58 are bent
outward and inturned, the tips of the arms being arranged to slide in the eccentric
groove 61, upon the outer face of the cam 10. This groove holds the bail through
the greater part of the arc of rotation of the reel drawn inward, as shown clearly in
Fig. 1, but at the point where the wings open, the cutter wall 62 of the groove 61
is carried outward as shown, thus permitting the springs to act to carry the bail
outward. The cross bar of the bail being arranged to pass close to the cross bar
of the wing will strike against the flax which has been clamped between the wings,
and throw it off and cause it to fall flat upon the carrier of the machine.
With the continued rotation of the reel, the bail is drawn inward as the wall 62
approaches the axis of the reel. To adjust the length of the shaft connecting the
shaft of the driving sprocket 25 and the reel shaft 9, to the varying heights of the
reel, the shaft is preferably formed with a narrowed square neck which slides freely
in the corresponding socket in the part connected to the universal joint (the just
mentioned parts not being shown).
The lever 17 is adjusted in position to support the reel at the desired height,
according to the size of the flax to be harvested. The machine then being drawn
forward, the reel is rotated by the described connections with the driving wheel.
The hinged wings of the reel rest against the fixed wings in the reel until they
have descended into the heads of the flax and the crank pins reach the angle 55 of
the cam, when the springs 56 act to swing the hinged wings forward against the
fixed wings, the crank pins passing around in the grooves outside the blocks 46
and 47, and holding the hinged wings with spring pressure against the fixed wings,
thus clamping the tops of the flax, and with the rotation of the reel pulling the
plants from the ground and carrying them back over the carrier 5 upon the machine.
The crank pins then successively pass around the ends of the blocks 46 and 47,
and approaching the center of the axis of the reel turn the hinged wings backward
again, and away from the fixed wings, against which they have been clamped,
releasing the flax. At the same instant the bails C are thrust outward by means
of their springs, their cross bars thrusting the flax heads off from the cross bar of
the wing, and causing them to fall flat upon the carrier 5, thence they are delivered
in the ordinary manner to the bundling shelf.
The modified construction of reel D shown in Figs. 5 and 6 is mounted upon
the machine in front of and above the driving wheels and is driven by means of
chain or link belts 63 running from the sprockets upon the drive wheels to the
sprockets 64 upon the shaft 65, of the reel. The frame of the reel is formed
preferably of metallic pipe. The reel is provided with fixed wings 66 formed of
small pipes or tubes 67 parallel with the shaft 65 forming the outer edge of the
wings and having their ends 68 bent at right angles therewith, and secured to the
shaft. It is preferred to secure between the ends of the pipe close to and parallel
with the straight part of the pipe, a secondary pipe 69, and also a piece of sheet
metal or board 70 extending from the pipe 69 toward the shaft 65, of sufficient
width to prevent the clogging of the reel by the branches of the plants. Secured
to both ends of the reel are the annular rings 71, in which are hinged intermediate
of the wings 66, the secondary or clamp wings 72, formed of pipes or rods 73,
similar in form to the pipes 67 of the wings 66. The ends 74 of these rods are
formed preferably with a slight lateral bend next to the body of the pipe, so that
when lying against the adjacent fixed wing it will fit between the pipes 67 and 69,
so as to firmly grip the plants between them. The pivots or journals 75 of the
clamp wings 72 extend through the wing 71 and are formed with a double bend 76,
the ends 77 extending substantially parallel with the shaft 65 and projecting into
the eccentrically curved cam or groove 78 formed in the fixed cain plate 79
inclosing the shaft. This cam or groove is of such form and arranged in such
position that when a fixed wing of the reel has turned forward and downward into
the flax, the hinged wing in advance of it is thrown back to bear against it, as

page_text: shown best in Fig. 5, and is held in that position until the reel has turned through
a sufficient angle of rotation to pull the plants from the ground and carry them back
over the platform or apron (not shown) of the machine behind the reel. The hinged
wing is then turned by the cam so as to throw it away from the fixed wing of the reel,
and release the flax which drops upon the platform. It is obvious that by
modifying the curve of the cam or groove, the clamping wing may be brought into
and held in contact with the fixed wing of the reel at such distance and for such
time as may be necessary to accomplish the desired result.
In order that the hinged wings may bear with elastic pressure against the fixed
wings, and yield to the obstacles of the interposed plants, the face of the cain or
inner wall of the groove is cut away at its most eccentric part and a flat spring 81
conforming to the proper curve for turning the hinged wings is secured upon it.
When the flax plants are clamped between them the spring yields sufficiently to
allow the cranks to travel around while gripping the plants firmly to pull them
from the ground.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondent, I declare that what 1 claim is :-
1. The combination of the reel having fixed wings and hinged wings intermediate
of said fixed wings, and eccentric guides engaging said hinged wings at a point
offset from their pivots, and turning them to and from the fixed wings, substantially
as and for the purposes set forth.
2. The combination of the reel having alternating fixed and hinged wings, and
eccentric guides engaging said hinged wings at points offset from their pivots,
whereby with the rotation of the reel, the hinged wings are turned to and from
the fixed wings at predetermined points in their rotation, substantially as and for
the purposes set forth.
3. The combination of the reel having fixed and hinged wings arranged
alternately thereon, eccentrics engaging said hinged wings and turning each of
said hinged wings alternately against the adjacent fixed wings through pre-
determined arcs of their rotations, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
4. The combination with a suitable vehicle, of a horizontal reel carried thereon
and rotated by the turning of the vehicle wheels having fixed wings and hinged
wings intermediate of the fixed wings, eccentries engaging said hinged wings and
automatically turning them to and from the adjacent fixed wings, through a
predetermined are of their rotation, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
5. In a device of the class described, the combination of the reel having alternating
hinged and fixed LJ shaped wings, and means for automatically closing the hinged
wings against the fixed wings.
6. In a device of the class described, a horizontally rotating reel having
alternating fixed and hinged ☐ shaped wings, and means for automatically closing
the hinged wings against the fixed wings successively at a predetermined point in
their rotation.
7. In a device of the class described, the combination of a suitable vehicle, a
horizontal shaft carried in front thereof, connections for driving said shaft from
the rebicle axle, a reel upon said shaft having alternating fixed and hinged
shaped wings, and eccentries engaging the hinged wings and closing them
against the adjacent fixed wings while passing through a predetermined are,
substantially as described.
8. In a device of the class described, the combination with the reel, of the fixed
wings and the alternating hinged wings having intermeshing angle-iron cross bars
and means for clamping the same together through a predetermined are of their
rotation, substantially as described.
9. In a device of the class described, the combination with the rotating clamps,
of meshing angle iron jaws for the clamp members, substantially as described.

page_text: 10. In a device of the class described, the combination with the reel having fixed
wings and alternating clamping hinged wings, of the V-shaped cross bars for said
fixed wings, and the angle iron cross bars for the hinged wings adapted to mesh
therewith in the closing of the wings, substantially as described.
11. In a device of the class described, the combination of the fixed wings of the
reel, having V shaped angle iron cross bars, the hinged wings alternating with said
fixed wings having angle iron cross bars adapted to fit to the cross bars of the
fixed wings and overlap the edges thereof, and means for automatically opening
and closing said wings through predetermined arcs of their rotation, substantially
as described.
12. In a device of the class described, having a reel provided with a series of
fixed wings, and a series of alternating hinged wings, the combination therewith
of cranks upon said hinged wings, cams engaging said cranks and serving to turn
said hinged wings to and from the adjacent. fixed wings through predetermined
arcs of their rotation, and spring controlled pressure blocks, serving as the walls
of the cams against which said cranks bear while said wings are clamped together,.
substantially as described.
13. The combination with the reel having the series of fixed wings and the series
of alternating hinged wings provided with cranks, of eccentric grooves engaging
the pins of said cranks, and closing said hinged wing against the fixed wings.
through a predetermined are of rotation, sectional sliding inner walls for said
grooves, and springs thrusting said sections outward so as to hold said hinged wings
with elastic pressure against the fixed wings, substantially as described.
14. In a device of the class described, the combination with the reel having a
series of clamps operative through a predetermined are of its rotation, of spring
actuated clearers working between the jaws of the clamps simultaneously with
their opening movement, substantially as described.
15. In a device of the class described, the combination with the pulling reel,.
having a series of clamping wings, of clearers reciprocating between the clamp
members, springs for thrusting said clearers outward beyond the jaws of the
clamps, and means for holding said clearers drawn inward against the tension of
said springs, while said clamps are closed, substantially as described.
16. In a flax pulling reel, having a series of clamping wings, the combination.
therewith of a bar arranged between each pair of wings or clamp members,
substantially parallel with the cross bars of the wings, and automatic means for
thrusting the same outward beyond said cross bars with the opening of the clamp,
substantially as described.
17. In a flax pulling reel, the combination of the fixed wings, the alternate
hinged wings, means for closing the hinged wings against the fixed wings through
a predetermined are of their rotation, a sliding bail or wing, intermediate of each
said fixed and hinged wings, means for normally holding it indrawn from the cross.
bars of said wings, while the same are closed together, and means for automatically
thrusting the bail outward beyond said cross bars, simultaneously with the opening
of said wings, substantially as described.
18. In a fax pulling reel, the combination with the clamping wings, of the
sliding wing between the same, the cam guides engaging said sliding wing, and
the springs tending to thrust the same outward, substantially as described.
19. In a flax pulling reel, the combination with the clamping wings, of a clearer
sliding between each pair of clamps, means for normally holding it inward from
the clamp jaws, and automatic means for thrusting it outward between said jaws
simultaneously with their opening, substantially as described.
20. In a device of the class described, the combination with the reel, its fixed
wings, its intermediate hinged wings provided with cranks, and the eccentric
guides engaging said cranks, of the clearers slidable upon said hinged wings to and
from the axis of the reel, the springs tending to thrust said clearers outward
beyond the cross bars of said wings, and the eccentric guides engaging said

page_text: clearers and holding them against the tension of said springs, substantially as
described.
Dated this 25th day of June 180.1
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents.