IMPROVEMENTS IN HARVESTING AND 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 HARVESTING AND 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 31st March 1881.
JAMES HORNSBY, JOHN INNOCENT, and GEORGE THOMAS RUTTER, all of Grantham,
in the County of Lincoln. "IMPROVEMENTS IN HARVESTING AND SHEAF-BINDING
MACHINERY OR APPARATUS."
Our Invention relating to improvements in harvesting and sheaf binding
machinery or apparatus has reference chiefly to reaping machines, and to
apparatus combined therewith for binding the sheaves of corn; but the said
apparatus may also be used separately from the reaping machine for binding
straw and the like. Our Invention is adapted more particularly to that class of
reaping machines in which the corn is delivered on to an endless band or apron,
and is thence conducted to the binding apparatus; but our improvements are also
partly applicable with reaping machines of other descriptions.
One part of our Invention relates to means for raising and lowering the machine
in order to adapt it to the height of the corn to be cut; and this part of the
Invention we carry out in the following manner :-On the main frame which
carries the driving gear we fix quadrant shaped brackets having internal teeth
thereon, with which engage a toothed wheel or pinion fast on each end of the main
wheel axle, one of such toothed wheels or pinions having a chain wheel formed on
or attached to it.
D
.
A bracket is fixed on the frame at a point corresponding with the centre of the
first motion gear pinion; this bracket carries a fixed pin on which a small chain
wheel and a worn wheel made fast together are free to revolve; an endless pitch
chain is passed around the small chain wheel and the chain wheel fixed on the
17031

page_text: :
main axle ; on one end of a horizontal spindle is fixed a worm gearing into the
worm wheel; to the other end of the spindle is secured a crank handle, so that
by turning this spindle in one direction or the other the endless chain is caused to
travel backwards or forwards, whereby rotatory motion is imparted to the main
wheel axle and to the pinions which are fixed upon it, and by means of the tooth
quadrants the frame is thus carried up or down to suit the height of cut.
It is proposed to operate the knife by means of a bell crank lever in front of the
frame driven by gearing at the back of the frame.
In order to render the machine more convenient for travelling on the road we
joint the platform between the two rollers which carry the horizontal travelling
apron. The joint is placed just clear of the roll which drives the apron, so that
when the platform is turned up it does not interfere with the bearings of that roll
as they remain stationary.
The whole of the binding apparatus is mounted on a separate frame, and is free
to move endwise, so that the cord may be passed around the sheaf at the proper
position for binding.
The binding apparatus is automatic in its action, and so constructed that
all the sheaves are of about the same size. It is arranged in the following
manner :-
'
Lengthwise within the binder frame are one principal shaft and one binding
shaft (the one being in a line with the other), and a short shaft which carries two
packer discs, and a pinion which drives them. These packer discs run continuously,
and are driven by a spur wheel made fast to the principal shaft, which receives its
motion from a chain wheel and pitch chain driven by the reaper.
The binding shaft works intermittently, and is put in or out of gear by a clutch
controlled by the volume of sheaf; this shaft has also mounted upon it the wheels
and devices which give motion to the mechanism for binding and ejecting the
sheaf.
;
The sheaf is first packed by two sets of rotating claws carried around by discs
each of these claws is pivotted to the disc so that it can vibrate freely for a certain
distance, and is provided with a tail piece which controls its movements. The
packing discs with their claws run continuously, but the claws are caused to act
on the crop intermittently, so that while the sheaf is being packed the claws are
made to project beyond the periphery of the disc which carries them, and by their
action to carry down with them the cut crop and pack it into a sheaf ready to be
:bound.
The sheaf is packed against a lever, and the volume of sheaf gradually thrusts
this lever backwards against a trip lever, so that when sufficient grain is
'accumulated for a sheaf the trip lever is lifted clear of a clutch, and a spring
drives the clutch into the teeth of a continuously rotating clutch on the principal
shaft, and the operation of binding commences.
While the sheaf is being bound the action of the packers on the crop is stopped
by keeping the points of the packing claws within the periphery of the discs. This
result is accomplished in the following manner, viz. :—
A fixed bracket or cam is provided, having two pathways, along one or other of
which the tail piece of these packing claws is caused to travel; these two pathways
are concentric with the axis of the packer discs, and are placed between the axis
and periphery of the discs, and are formed by two segmental ribs with a space
between them open at both ends..
Across that end of the ribs with which the packing claws first come in contact
is placed a moving switch or slide operated by a bell crank lever, which receives
its motion from a flange or cam on the binder spindle.
When the sheaf is being packed the mouth of the space between the two ribs is
closed by the slide. The tailpiece of the packing claw on coming into contact
with this slide glides backwards, throwing the claws forward into the crop, the
tailpiece following on the outside cam or rib, and so continues its action until
'sufficient for a sheaf is packed. The operation of binding then commences, the

page_text: cam on the binder spindle lifts one arm of the bell crank lever, causing the other
arms to draw back the slides or switches, opening the mouth between the two
segmental ribs, and allowing the tailpiece of the packing claw to. pass down
between the two ribs, and thus keep the point of the claw within the periphery of
, the disc, so that the claw has no action on the cut crop. This operation continues
while the sheaf is being bound, and ejected when the binding operation stops.
A recess in the cam on the binder spindle allows the arm of the bell crank lever to
fall into it, being forced down under the action of a spring, and the slide or switch
is moved over the opening between the two segmental ribs, and the claws commence
to pack another sheaf.
The binding arm is carried on a sleeve or tube by bearings beneath the table on
which the sheaf is bound; it is actuated by segmental gear, so constructed that
after the binding arm is brought up encircling the sheaf it remains in that position
until the sheaf is bound, and then returns to its normal position beneath the
binder table. In order to accomplish this result a segmental gear wheel is fixed on
the binder spindle, working into a pinion which makes one revolution while a
sheaf is being bound on the axis upon which this pinion is mounted. At the
opposite end to the pinion is fixed a crank arm, to a crank pin in which is attached
a connecting rod. The other end of the rod is pivotted to an arm attached to the
sleeve or tube on which the binder arm is mounted, so that as the pinion and crank
revolve they give an intermittent vibratory motion to the binder arm.
The lever or arm against which the sheaf is packed is also used to compress the
sheaf against the binder arm, so that the sheaf may be tied up fairly tight.
This lever is pivoted at its top end to another lever arranged horizontally above
the binder spindle, and hinged at its opposite end to the binder frame. The
compressing lever passes downwards through a sleeve which is hinged at its top
end to the outside top bar of the binder frame. To the bottom end of this sleeve
is pivotted a pull rod arranged in nearly a horizontal position, the other end of
which is pivotted to the bottom end of a thrust lever hanging in nearly a vertical
position, the top end of the thrust lever being hinged to the binder frame.
For the purpose of operating the compressing lever we mount a friction roll on
the clutch, which puts the binding apparatus into or out of gear while the sheaf is
being. bound. This clutch with the roll makes one revolution at the proper time
for compressing the sheaf; this roll comes in contact with the thrust lever, driving
it backwards, and the rod pulls the sleeve and the lever within it compresses the
sheaf.
The sheaf being now tied the roll in its course comes into contact with the
horizontal lever above the binder spindle, causing. that end to which the com-
pressor lever is hinged to rise, thus lifting the compressing lever while the sheaf is
ejected.
?.
The knotting apparatus which we prefer to employ in connection with our
binding apparatus is similar in construction to the knotter described in the
Specification to Letters Patent granted to Charles Denton Abel, dated the 21st June
1880, No. 251780, and consists of a rotating hook eye, into which the cord is laid,
after which a knotter tube is brought forward, which locks or secures the cord
within the hook. When the knotter has made one revolution it has passed the cord
completely round the knotter tube. A hook is now projected from within the
tube, and as the knotter continues to revolve the cord is laid under the centre
hook, the string is cut, and the ends drawn within the knotter tube. The knotter
tube is also drawn within the tube on the end of which is formed the hook eye,
thus slipping, tightening, and completing the knot, all substantially as described in
the Specification to the said former Letters Patent. According to our Invention
we arrange the knotter apparatus and operate it in the following manner:-The
knotter is placed in a horizontal position above the sheaf, and is caused to rotate
by a segmental or intermittent gear wheel fixed; on the binder spindle, the teeth
upon the said wheel being so arranged as to cause the knotter to rotate at the
requisite times. On the end face of this wheel are two cam paths for operating on

page_text: two levers, one of which imparts an endwise motion to the knotter tube and
the hook within it, whilst the other lever gives motion, to the knife which cuts
the cord.
The motion is transmitted to the tube and hook from the cam through the
intervention of two springs so arranged as to admit of the tube and hook being
protruded relatively to each other at the requisite times, and to restore the parts to
their normal position as soon as the pressure is removed.
After a sheaf is bound it is ejected by a lever carried by a crank arm attached
to a spindle which passes through the sleeve or tube carrying the binder arm.
This ejecting lever is pivotted at about the centre of its length to the aforesaid
crank arm, the lower end of the ejecting lever is pivotted to a radius rod, the
opposite end of which is attached to a pin fixed to the binder frame, so that the
lower end of the ejector lever can only move up and down in a radius, while, by
the rotation of the crank, the line of transverse at the top end of the ejector would
form an ellipse.
The whole apparatus is worked by an intermittent gear wheel fixed on the
binder spindle which drives a delay pinion and chain wheel made fast together,
a pitch chain by preference being used to transmit the motion from the delay
'pinion to a chain wheel fixed on the spindle on which the crank that carries the
ejector is made fast.
.
The ejector operates in the following manner :-
As soon as the sheaf is bound the crank carrying the ejector commences to rotate,
carrying the point of the ejector behind the sheaf and gradually pushing it off the
binding table it falls to the ground.
The crank with the ejector then gradually recedes beneath the binding table
and remains in that position until it is required to eject another sheath.
When the packer discs for forming the sheaths are required to operate
intermittently we arrange them in the following manner :-
A double ended clutch is mounted on the main spindle, which clutch forms the
driver for the packers and the binder alternately, and is actuated in one direction
by a shipping latch and in the other direction by a spring. The spur wheel which
gives motion to the packers is mounted loose on the main spindle, and while the
sheaf is being packed the sliding clutch is held by the shipping latch in gear with
a counterpart clutch on the spur wheel to drive the packers. When sufficient for
a sheaf is packed a trip lever lifts the shipping lever, and a coil spring interposed
between the spur wheel and the sliding clutch drives the clutch out of gear with
the spur wheel (leaving it idle) and into gear with a counterpart clutch fixed
on the binding spindle, which, when it has made one revolution and bound the
sheaf, is, by the shipping latch, thrown out of gear with the binding apparatus and
into gear with the packers.
In applying our Invention to mowing machines we arrange the parts in the
following manner :-
We provide improved means of raising the outer end of the finger bar before
the inner end is raised, and this object we effect in the manner next hereinafter
described.
The main frame of the machine is free to rock on the main axle, and the slade
to which the finger bar is attached is, as usual, hinged to the side of the frame, so
that the finger bar may turn up for travelling. A lever hinged to the slade
extends away from the finger bar to within the frame of the machine. The lifting
chain is attached to one end of a rocking lever pivotted to the frame, and when
the chain is lifted it depresses the opposite end of the rock lever, and forces down
the end of the lever attached to the slade, thus causing the outer end of the finger
bar to rise, or in lieu of employing a rocking lever a heel on the lifting quadrant
may be used to force down the aforesaid lever which is hinged to the slade, whereby
a similar effect is obtained.
It is also proposed in the case of the ratchet pawls, which are usually pivotted to

page_text: the main road wheels, to cast the pawl hollow and place therein a coiled spring
which abuts against a fixed projection.
In constructing the finger bar and fingers the bar has a recess rabbited on its lower
front edge and a piece across the front edge of the finger fits into the rabbit, thus
forming a substantial shoulder and preventing the finger from being driven sideways.
It is obvious that the details of the Invention may be greatly modified without
departing from its principle, as, for example, in the case of chains and chain wheels
being used for the transmission of motion bevel wheels or equivalent gearing may
be substituted therefor, whereby a similar effect is obtained.
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 6th August 1881.
JAMES HORNSBY, JOHN INNOCENT, and GEORGE THOMAS RUTTER, all of Grantham,
in the County of Lincoln. "IMPROVEMENTS IN HARVESTING AND SHEAF BINDING
MACHINERY OR APPARATUS."
Our said Invention relating to improvements in harvesting machinery has
reference chiefly to apparatus combined or connected therewith for the purposes of
compacting and binding the cut and delivered crop into sheaves of uniform bulk
and compactness. Our Invention is adapted more particularly to that class of
reaping machinery in which the corn or other similar crop is delivered on to a
travelling endless band or apron, and is thence elevated or conducted to the binding
apparatus, but our improvements are also partly applicable to harvesting or reaping
machines of other descriptions.
One part of our said Invention relates to improved apparatus for raising and
lowering reaping or harvesting machines in order to adapt or adjust its relative
elevation to the corn or crop to be cut. For this purpose we fix upon the main
framing of the machine quadrant shaped or curved brackets having internal teeth,
with which engage spur pinions actuated by clain wheels driven by a handle and
worm gearing.
According to the second part of our said Invention, which has reference to that
class of sheaf binding apparatus in which the packing spindle and discs with their
claws are arranged to continuously revolve, we provide fixed cam paths or guiding
surfaces controlled by slides or switches arranged in such a manner that the packing
claws are caused to act intermittently upon the crop to be packed or formed into
sheaves.
The packing and binding apparatus is automatic in its action, and so constructed
and arranged that all the sheaves are of about the same size and compactness. For
this purpose the crop is packed against a compressing lever, which, when formed
into a sheaf of sufficient and definite quantity, thrusts the said lever back, and

page_text: causes the packing apparatus to be thrown out of gear and the binding apparatus
to be brought into operation, which is continuously repeated at definite intervals
throughout the working of the machine. The sheaf having attained the requisite
volume compression is effected between the binder arm and a lever by a roller or
tappet mounted on the intermittently revolving binding spindle travelling over the
face of a thrust lever, which by its subsequent continued rotary course engages
with the heel of a horizontal lever attached to the compressing lever, and thus
raising the latter clear of the sheaf when ready to be ejected.
The knotting apparatus which we prefer to employ. in connection with our
binding apparatus is similar to that described in the Specification to Letters Patent
granted to Charles Denton Abel, dated Twenty first of June, One thousand eight
hundred and eighty, No. 2517, which we arrange so as to be operated by a cam
wheel, intermittent and differential gearing, in order to effect the required and
necessary rotary and longitudinal movements for the knotting, retaining, and cutting
apparatus.
After a sheaf has been securely bound and the string or cord severed it is
immediately ejected by a lever operated by a crank attached to a spindle passing
through a sleeve or tubular shaft carrying the binder arm, and the path of the said
ejector being suitably controlled by a radius rod, and its motion being imparted
by a chain wheel separate and independent of that of the binding arm. The third
part of our said Invention relates to peculiar arrangements of apparatus for
effectually clearing or raising the outer end of the finger bar in mowing machines
by the intervention of a rocking lever connected at one end to the main raising
lever and at the other end to the tilting lever acting upon the slade, carrying the
finger bar. According to a modified arrangement a projection formed on the lower
end of the main raising lever is caused to operate directly upon the tilting lever
hinged to the slade.
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 Sheets of Drawings, the same letters of reference
indicating corresponding parts in all the Figures.
Figure 1 (Sheet 1) of the accompanying Drawings represents a back view of a
complete harvesting machine with our improvements applied thereto.
Figure 2 is a plan, and Figure 3 an end view of the packing and binding
apparatus constructed, arranged, and operating according to our said Invention.
Figures 4 and 5 represent detail views of the mechanism for raising and lowering
the machine according to the height of the crop to be cut.
Figure 6 shews a part longitudinal section of the packing and binding apparatus
to a larger scale, while Figure 6ª shews a detail of the thrust lever and shipping
clutch.
Figure 7 represents a transverse setcion of the packing and binding apparatus
taken on line X, X, of the preceding Figure.
Figure 8 (Sheet II.) shews a view of the inner side of a packer disc for carrying
the packing claws, which claws are shewn in detail at Figure 8°.
1
Figures 9, 10, 10ª, 11, and 12 represent detail views respectively of the stationary
plates for carrying the cam paths or guiding surfaces with the slides or switches
controlling them, for causing the packing claws to act intermittently on the crop,
as will hereinafter be referred to.
Figures 13, 14, 14ª, and 15 illustrate detail views of the binding, string knotting,
retaining, and cutting apparatus, with train of gearing and necessary parts for
actuating the same, as hereinafter described.
Figures 16 and 17 represent a front elevation and end view respectively of the
sheaf-ejector, operated through the tubular shaft carrying the binder arm according
to our Invention.
Figures 18, 19, and 19" shew a plan, transverse sectional elevation, and detail
view, respectively, of a mowing machine with our improved apparatus for raising
or clearing the outer end of the finger bar applied thereto, while Figure 20 shews a

page_text: transverse sectional elevation of a similar machine with a modified arrangement
for raising or lifting the outer end of the finger bar, and Figures 21 and 22 illustrate.
respectively a side and front elevation of a knife finger attached or secured to the
bar according to our improvements.
A is the main road or travelling wheel fixed to the tubular boss a which serves
as the prime mover to the whole machine, and having fixed or formed on its face a
spur wheel a¹ into which gears a pinion 6 with an ordinary suitable train of
intermediate gearing for imparting motion to the various elements of the machine
through the intervention of conveniently arranged endless bands, chains, or
equivalent devices. When the harvesting, reaping, or other similar machine is
required to travel without imparting motion to the machine, the spur pinion b
may be thrown out of gear with the spur driving wheel a' by means of the
lever b' actuating a driving clutch or similar appliance in any known manner.
Through the centre of the main wheel tubular boss a passes a horizontal spindle a²
which serves as the main axle and axis of rotation and about which it revolves
while travelling, the said spindle being therefore capable of receiving and trans-
mitting independent motion. At the ends of this horizontal spindle or axle are
fixed spur pinions a³, as, gearing into internal teeth provided within segmental or
curved shaped brackets B,,B¹, fixed to suitable transverse framing carried by the
machine, as shewn in Figures 1, 4, and 5 of the accompanying Drawings. A
bearing B2 is fixed on the frame at a point corresponding with the centre of the
prime motion pinion which carries a worm wheel 62 with a chain wheel b³ formed
or keyed to its face and fixed in the same plane to another similar chain wheel b¹
secured on the horizontal spindle or axle a² which receive corresponding motion by
means of an endless pitch chain passing over them.
On one end of a spindle C is fixed a worm C which imparts motion by means
of the crank handle c to the worm wheel 63 carrying the chain wheel previously
mentioned.
Now, by turning the handle c in either direction corresponding fractional or
integral motion is imparted to the worm wheel 62 and its chain wheel b³, which
communicates its motion by means of the endless chain to the wheel 64 fixed on the
main horizontal axle or spindle a³, thus causing similar reciprocating circular
motion to be transmitted to the pinions a³, a, fixed at its ends, which travelling
in the internal teeth of the fixed curved brackets B, B', cause the frame of the
entire machine to be bodily raised or lowered according to the exigencies of the
road and the height of the crop to be cut.
It is obvious that the curvature of the brackets and the pitch of the internal
teeth must be determined and vary according to the distance at which the worm
wheel or prime mover is placed, the centre of which always remaining the radius
of curvature.
The small pin c inserted in the spindle c and connected by means of a chain
to the framing, is simply provided to prevent the handle and spindle turning while
travelling, but any other suitable known means might be conveniently adopted if
required.
The whole of the packing and binding apparatus is suitably arranged within a
separate framing D mounted at the side (or in similar convenient position) of a
harvesting or reaping machine, as represented at Figure 1 of the accompanying
Drawings, but it is obvious that the said apparatus might be advantageously
adapted to other similar classes or types of machines, which cut and collect crops
with the ultimate view of binding the same. The said separate or independent
framing D forming a trough shaped receptacle or enclosure is mounted on rollers d
in horizontal guides & provided at the upper part of the framing, as shewn, so
that the entire framing and apparatus is capable of lateral adjustment in order
that the binding cord or string may always be passed around the sheaf at the
proper definite position independent of the varying, nature, growth, or developement
of the crops to be bound.
This lateral or endwise motion is imparted by means of the handle d² arranged

page_text: •
within convenient reach of the operator, and actuating suitable chain wheels or
other equivalent gearing in the well known manner. The packing and binding
apparatus is automatic in its action and functions, and so constructed and arranged
that all the sheaves bound are of similar size and compactness by the means and
in the manner hereinafter described.
".
E is the main or principal shaft or spindle for driving the packing and binding
apparatus at the required intervals, and which receives continuous rotary motion
.during these intermittent operations from the reaper or any suitably arranged
prime mover. In a continuation of about the same horizontal plane is mounted
another independent spindle or shaft F, which actuates the binding, knotting,
cutting, and ejecting apparatus at the required intervals by suitable gearing, and is
necessarily intermittent in its action.
A third spindle or shaft G carrying the packing apparatus is mounted in a
parallel plane to the former mentioned spindles or in any other suitable relative
position, and kept in communication or gear with the main spindle E by means of
spur wheels e, e¹, so that the packing spindle G and its apparatus connected
therewith receive corresponding continuous rotary motion during the operation of
the machine.
This short packing spindle G passes through fixed segmental or curved brackets
or plates G', G³, provided with cam paths or guiding surfaces g¹, g², and having
secured thereon packer discs H, H, carrying the packing claws h, which are
maintained continuously revolving by the main spindle E during the action of the
machine, but the latter rendered only intermittently operative by virtue of the
controlling action of the cam paths, as will presently be more fully described.
An ordinary driving clutch e² or equivalent device is provided on the main
spindle E formed on the face of the spur wheel e keyed thereon, and a corresponding
clutch carried on the inner end of the intermittent binding spindle F, which is
thrown alternately into and out of gear with the clutch formed on the continuously
running main spindle by a strong helical spring f' and a shipping lever M
respectively, which intermittent driving action is suitably controlled by the
requisite volume of the sheaf packed or accumulated ready for binding.
The first operation of packing the grain or crop into sheaves is effected by two
or more sets of rotating claws h carried round by the continuously revolving discs
Has already described, each of these claws being suitably pivotted to the same
at h¹, and consequently free to oscillate or vibrate for a certain distance, so as to
sufficiently project beyond the periphery of the disc for the requirements of packing,
or to conversely fall back within the course of the said dises when it is desired to
cause them to run idle or maintain them inoperative during the process of binding.
These oscillating packing claws h are provided with tail pieces and projections h²,
which control their movements by engaging with the concentric cam paths or guiding
surfaces g', g, formed on the fixed brackets or plates G1, G2, already mentioned, so
that while the packing discs and claws rotate continuously, the latter are only
caused to intermittently project beyond the circumference of the same when it is
desired to carry down the cut crop and collect and compress it against a lever I to
form a sheave ready for binding.
The entrance to the inner concentric path or guiding surfaces g¹ formed by
suitably projecting curved ribs upon the stationary plates, are controlled by
reciprocating slides or switches g³ working in guides g' formed in the body of the
plates, and which receive motion from a bell cranked or bent lever or levers g³
pivotted on the pin glo, and connected with a roller or rollers g6 actuated by a
recess f³ formed, in the collar of the clutch f³ carried on the binding spindle F.
When the sheaf is being packed the entrance to the inner cam paths g' are closed
by the semi-circular projections g7 formed on the side of the slides, as shown in
plan at Figure 10ª, thereby obstructing or covering the same, as indicated in
Figures 7 and 10 of the accompanying Drawings, thus causing the tails and
projections h² of the packing claws, which are continuously revolving at a fixed
radius, to come in contact with the said curved projections on the slides, and so

page_text: interrupt and divert their course to the outer paths g², which forces the claws h
forward beyond the edge of the discs, so as to operate upon the crop to be packed
during their passage along the guiding surfaces, when they are subsequently
released in order not to carry the crop beyond a certain distance.
This operation continues until sufficient to form a sheaf has been packed, when
the slides g³ with their projections g² are caused to uncover or open the inner guiding
paths g, and thus allow the projections h² formed on the tails of the packing claws..
to enter the same by the inward tilting action imparted to them by the blade
spring g fixed to the cam plates, whereby the packing claws are caused to revolve
inoperatively within the periphery of the discs, so that they have no further
action upon the crop. This inoperative or idle running of the packing claws (by
their tails being guided through the inner cam paths) is continued while the
sheaf is being bound, tied, cut, and ejected, which is effected during one complete
revolution of the binding spindle F, when the roller 96 carried by the bell crank
lever 95 actuating the slides again falls, or is pressed into the recess f³ by the
helical spring J, thereby causing the inner paths g¹ to be again closed by the
projections g7 formed on the slides, thus obliging the diverted tails of the packing
claws to again traverse the outer paths g², and force out the claws in opposition to
the action of the springs 98, when they immediately commence to pack another
sheaf.
When the packing claws are caused to revolve in their forward or operative
attitude, the ends of their projections 2 rest on the outer cam path, while the
recesses formed on the inner surfaces of the packing discs H form an extreme
end stop to prevent the claw going further forward until clear of the action of the
cams or guiding surfaces, as represented at Figure 8 of the accompanying Drawings.
As shewn at Figure 8ª, h², is T ended, one side of which forms a stop at either
extremities. The other side trails in the said cam paths.
The claws in their continued rotary course away from their work are afterwards
caused to fall by their own weight within the periphery of the discs, and
temporarily recline in the recesses h until brought. so far forward to be again
required for work. Or when the tails of the claws are allowed to traverse the
inner cam paths, they remain reclining in the latter position by virtue of the
springs 98 and guiding projections, as indicated by the dotted positions at Figures 8
and 10 of the Drawings.
At Figure 12 is illustrated a modification of the preceding arrangement for
operating equivalent mechanism for controlling the passage of the tails of the
packers to the inner or outer cam paths, according to the intermittent operations
required at proper and definite intervals.
According to this arrangement we provide a short oscillating lever G³, having a
suitably curved head for controlling the entrance to the inner guiding surface or
cam paths g', in lieu of the reciprocating rectilinear slides or switches previously
described with reference to the first arrangement. The said controlling lever G³
receives its motion from a similar bell crank lever 96 actuated by the recess ƒ³
formed in the collar of the driving clutch, and attached to the former by means of
the connecting rod go. When the curved head of the lever closes the inner guiding
paths g¹ it rests in an oblique plane against the face of the inner concentric ribs,
which are prolonged for the purpose, as represented in Figure 12 of the Drawings,
whereby the thrusting action of the packing claws upon the connecting rods and
bell crank levers g5 is avoided. As under this arrangement the passage of the
packing claws always tend by their owu advancing action to keep the cam paths
closed the use of the spring J is minimised, and may be conveniently placed in a
horizontal plane between a projection or prolongation formed on the bell crank
lever and the framing, as shewn in the Drawing.
The lever or arm against which the crop is accumulated and packed for forming a
5 sheaf, in the manner hereinbefore described, also serves at the proper time to
compress the same against the raised binder arm, so that it may be tied and bound

page_text: fairly tight and uniformly compact, at the same time temporally removing any
tensile strain upon the string or cord during the process of knotting.
For this purpose the lever I is hinged or pivotted at its upper extremity to
another horizontal arm or lever K, capable of oscillating about the centre k provided
in a bracket K' fixed to the framing D above the binding spindle F, and in the
same vertical plane as the tappet or roller f5 fixed thereon. The lever I passes
downwards through the rectangular or trough shaped sleeve I¹ open in front to
allow the former to project forward, and hinged at its top i to the longitudinal
framing of the machine, so as to be capable of vibrating in a vertical plane to and
from the binder spindle, as represented at Figure 7 of the accompanying Drawings.
The bottom end of this sleeve I' is attached to a pull or connecting rod I2 arranged
in nearly a horizontal position, and secured at its other extremity to the bottom of
a thrust lever L hanging in nearly a vertical position from the horizontal fulcrum
pink carried by the bracket K¹
The thrust lever L is provided with a curved projection 7 formed on its side near
its fulcrum, and suitably arranged as to be capable of engaging with a corresponding
stud or projection m formed on a shipping clutch or lever M pivotted on the same
fulcrum pink, but capable of independent motion, as represented in detail at
Figure 6a of the 'Drawings, so that as the crop is packed against the lever I the
increasing volume gradually forces it backwards, thereby pulling the thrust lever L
forwards until a definite accumulation to form a sheaf causes its projection / to
engage with that of m formed on the shipping clutch M, raising the same clear of the
face of the collar f' formed on the clutch f2 carried by the binding spindle, whereby
the latter is thrown into gear by the spring f¹ with the continuously revolving
spindle E, which upon receiving corresponding motion causes the packing apparatus
to be thrown out of operation by the roller g leaving the recess f³ in the said
collar.
The shipping clutch or lever M may be of any known or desired construction
although shewn in the Drawings provided with a friction roller and a separate
limb kept out by a helical spring to the extent required, so as always to maintain
it in contact with the face of the driving clutch. On the inner face of the said
collar of the driving clutch is formed a cam projection f extending for about a
quarter of its circumference and of gradually tapering section, so that immediately
the shipping lever is raised clear of the driving clutch the cam collar carried on the
binding spindle commences to revolve with the same for the purpose of binding,
meanwhile the helical spring N continually tends to force down the shipping lever
towards the spindle, and thus the thin end of the tapering cam projection f on
the collar inserts itself against the head of the said lever, so that by the time the
binding spindle has completed one revolution, the cam by its advancing action
has again thrown it out of gear, when the roller ge is again forced into the recess f³,
and the packing operation is recommenced, as before described.
For the purpose of operating the lever I for compressing the sheaf, as hereinbefore
mentioned, we mount a roller or tappet f³ upon the boss of the driving clutch
carried on the binding spindle F, which consequently receives corresponding
intermittent rotary motion. Therefore immediately the binding spindle has
motion imparted to it (after sufficient grain or crop has been packed) for the
purpose of actuating the binding mechanism the roller or tappet fs in making its
one complete revolution with the said spindle is first caused to travel over the face
of the thrust lever L, thereby forcing it backwards and putting the sleeve I' and
lever I forwards, whereby the sheaf is compressed between the latter and the
binding arm now raised. By its continued progressive rotary course it engages
with the heel of the horizontal lever K above the binder spindle attached to the
top of the lever I, thus bodily raising the latter within the sleeve I clear of the
sheaf now bound and tied ready to be ejected, all of which normal and moved
positions are indicated in Figure 7 of the accompanying Drawings.
The binder arm R, or any known or desired construction is carried on a sleeve

page_text: or tubular shaft r mounted in suitable bearings 71, 72, conveniently provided
beneath the table D', on which the sheaf is packed and bound, and receives
intermittent reciprocating rotary motion by means of the intermittent toothed
wheel 8 fixed on the binder spindle F gearing into a spur wheel &¹ actuating a
crank 82 and connecting rod 83 attached to the crank arm & fixed to the tubular
shaft or sleever of the binder arm, the arrangement of suitable intermittent
gearing being so timed as to effect the required operations with proper duration, so
that the binder arm R is brought up to encircle the sheaf at the necessary intervals,
and maintained in that position until the sheaf is bound and the string severed,
when it is caused to return to its normal position beneath the binding table or
platform, as shewn at Figures 13, 16, and 17, of the accompanying Drawings.
The intermittent wheel S gearing with the lock spur wheel s¹ having teeth
formed only on a portion of its circumference, consequently during its one
revolution with the binding spindle first raises the binder arm by means of the
cranks and connections, and then locks it in this position for a certain portion of
its course, when it afterwards again releases it and returns it to its normal
position.
F
The knotting apparatus which we prefer to employ in connection with our
binding apparatus is similar in construction and operation to that described in
the Specification to Letters Patent granted to Charles Denton Abel, dated the
Twenty first June, One thousand eight hundred and eighty, No. 2517, and consists
of a rotating hook eye T¹, into which the cord is laid, after which a knotter tube t
is brought forward which locks or secures the cord within the said hook. When
the knotter has made one revolution it has passed the cord completely round the
knotter tube t, an internal hook t¹ is then projected from within the tube, and as
the knotter continues to revolve the cord is laid under the said hook t¹, when the
string is cut and the ends drawn within the knotter tube. The knotter, tube is
also drawn within the main tube of the apparatus T, on the outer end of which is
formed the hook eye T¹, thus slipping, tightening, and completing the knot, all
substantially as described in the Specification to the said former Letters Patent.
According to our Invention we arrange the knotting apparatus of the kind above
referred to so as to operate it in the following. manner, which will be readily
understood by reference to Figures 13, 14, and 15, of the accompanying Drawings.
The knotting apparatus is fixed to the framing D in a horizontal position above
the sheaf, and is actuated by intermittent and differential gearing fixed on the
binder and counter spindles, the teeth upon the said gearing being so arranged as
to cause the knotting apparatus to receive the rotary and longitudinal movements
at the requisite times.
For this purpose a cam wheel P is fixed on the intermittently operating binding
spindle F, and provided with a suitable number of teeth p to impart just one
revolution at the proper time to a spur pinion pl mounted on a spindle p², operating
a crank på connected to the cutting and retaining apparatus Q of known con-
struction, so as to turn the same bodily towards the knotting apparatus, in order to
provide sufficient slack of the string or cord during the process of knotting. Fixed
to the face of the spur pinion p', or secured to the same spindle p², is another spur
wheel p of larger dimensions gearing into another pinion 2 just half its size, and
which is suitably secured to the rotating portion of the knotting apparatus T, so
that as the pinion p² becomes intermittently driven at the proper intervals by the
teeth p formed on cam wheel P (which rotates with the binding spindle) it performs
one revolution to partially turn the cutting and retaining apparatus for the purpose
before mentioned, while the larger pinion p causes the pinion ² to revolve with
the knotting apparatus twice, in order to effect the requisite turns or convolutions
of the string or the knotting tube t.
On the end and inner face of the cam wheel P are fixed three cam projections
P1, P2, P3, for operating the lever q', and a recess P* provided in the circumference
of the said wheel P for actuating the lever q, the said levers carrying frictional
rollers, and so fixed on sleeves q³ and q³, and loose on a rocking spindle q*

page_text: respectively, as to be capable of imparting independent longitudinal or endwise
motion to the spring spindles ts and q' of the knotting, cutting, and retaining
apparatus respectively through the intervention of corresponding levers or pro-
jections 95, 96, suitably located on the sleeves of the rocking spindle q', for the
purposes of projecting the internal hook t¹, and closing the knife and retainer.
The lever q with its roller for closing the cutting and retaining apparatus by the
lever q are fixed to and rock with the spindle 9, as shewn at Figure 14ª of the
Drawings, the other levers for protruding the internal knotting hook t being
free to oscillate thereon as an axis of motion.
The pressure of the levers being removed, the hook is withdrawn within the
tube, and the knife and retainer opened by means of helical springs exerting their
force at the proper relative periods in the known manner.
The normal position of the knotting tube and hook are within the body or
framing of the apparatus, and that of the knife and retainer closed, or in its forward
attitude, so that as the binder arm recedes, it carries back the string over the
bridge of the retainer, leaving it across the binding table or platform D'; so that
the loose crop is packed or collected over it, and when the binder arm is again
raised or brought forward, the sheaf lies formed in the loop or bite of the string.
The string always resting over the cutting and retaining apparatus immediately it
opens, the former falls into position to be cut and retained.
Now assuming the binding spindle F to be revolving for the purposes of actuating
the various elements of the packing and binding apparatus, the projection P¹ on
the cam wheel P at the proper interval comes in contact with lever q¹, thereby
forcing out the knotting tube t, so as to lock the cord or string within the hook
eye T¹ formed on the face of the apparatus. This being accomplished, the knotting
apparatus T makes a little over one complete revolution through the intervention
of the spur wheel t2, coming into gear with the intermittent teeth p provided on
the cam wheel, when the second cam projection P² of greater elevation than the
first is brought into action, whereby the pressing action upon the lever q¹ is
continued and increased so as to overcome the power of the helical spring, and force
out the internal hook t² to engage with the crossed ends of the string. No sooner
is this effected than the lever q₁ becomes released from P, and the spring draws in
the knotted strands within the tube t. At the same time the second lever q falls
into the recess P4 provided on the face of the cam wheel P, whereby the knife and
retainer is suddenly opened, into which the string beyond the knot falls, and is
almost immediately closed by the continued rotary course of the cam wheel,
whereby the binding string is cut, and the free end retained. The third pro-
jection P³ of the greatest height now. comes in contact with the temporarilly
released lever ql, and forces the tube t¹ and hook tout, so as to expel the knotted
ends when the sheaf is ready to be ejected.
After the sheaf is bound in the manner herein before described, it is ejected by a
lever U carried by a crank arm u attached to a spindle u', which passes through
the sleeve or tubular shaft carrying the binder arm R, as represented at
Figures 16 and 17 of the Drawings. This ejecting lever is pivotted at about
the centre of its length to the aforesaid crank arm, the lower end of the former
being likewise pivoted to a radius rod u², the opposite end of which is attached to
a pin fixed to the binder frame, so that the lower end of the ejector lever can only
move or work up and down about such radius, while by the rotation of the crank u
the top end of the ejector is caused to travel in an elliptical path.
The whole apparatus is actuated and controlled by an intermittent internal
toothed wheel U₁ fixed on the binder spindle F, which drives an intermittent or
delay pinion U2 and chain wheel U³ made fast to its face, and a pitch chain by
preference being used to transmit the motion from the intermittent or delay
pinion U2 to a chain wheel U fixed on the spindle u¹, on which the crank u that
carries and works the ejector U, as shown in the end view at Figure 3 of the
Drawings.
Now as soon as the sheaf is bound and the severed knot clear of the tube, the

page_text: crank u carrying the ejector U commences to rotate carrying the point of the said
ejector behind the sheaf, and by its gradual forward motion pushes it off the
binding table, when it falls totally disconnected to the ground ready for shocking
or removal at pleasure.
Then the crank with the ejector continues its forward movement until it
gradually recedes beneath the binding table, and remains in that position until
it is required to eject another sheaf.
The combined successive actions or operations of the general arrangement of
sheaf packing and binding machine or apparatus is as follows:-The cut crop may
be delivered upon the binding table or platform D¹ in any convenient .known
manner; although for illustration we shall describe it with reference to Figure 1 of
the Drawings, as elevated thereto by endless aprons or bands worked in connection
with a harvester or reaping machine.
The crop is cut by the ordinary arrangement of reciprocating or vibrating knives
provided in the front of the machine, and beaten by the continuously revolving reel
or blade wheel Z on to a horizontal travelling canvas apron, which carries it to the
elevator consisting of two common parallel endless running aprons, which deliver it
on to the sloping binding table D' provided at the bottom of the adjustable trough
shaped framing or receptacle. The main travelling wheel A as a prime mover may
be conveniently arranged to drive all the moving parts of the machine, as shewn.
The chain wheel 1 receives its motion from the said main wheel by the intervention
of ordinary gearing, and the quitable transmission of motion is conveyed to the
other driving wheels by means of an endless chain band or equivalent means, the
arrows in the Drawing indicating the direction of the same.
The chain wheel 2 through the medium of a spur pinion y drives the prime
mover Y of the packing and binding apparatus which is fixed on the main
continuously revolving spindle E, and consists of a wheel provided with continuous
internal teeth into which the said pinion gears.
The endless chain then passes to the gearing 3 for driving the elevating aprons,
and from thence to that of 4 actuating the horizontal feeding apron, and finally
back to the prime moving chain wheel 1 over an idle chain pulley 5 capable of
adjustment for giving or taking up any slack in the endless driving chain or band;
6 is a spur wheel which may take its motion from the spindle 1 for driving the
knives, all of which driving appliances may be conveniently thrown in or out of
gear, as desired, by the lever b' actuating the driving clutch arranged within easy.
reach of the attendant or operator. .
Now assuming all the former mentioned gearing to be in operation, and
consequently the main spindle E and packing spindle G to be continuouslly
revolving, the cut crop is fed on to the binding table and the collecting and
compacting effected by the revolving projecting packing claws h against the lever I,
the crop being prevented from entering the moving parts of the machine by
the guard plate G. When the uniform determined volume of the crop sufficient
to form a sheaf it forces back the said lever, pulling forward the thrust lever Ļ
with its projection, which immediately causes the shipping lever M to be tem-.
porarially raised, whereby the driving clutch on the binder spindle F is brought
into gear with that fixed on the continuously revolving spindle F by the spring f',
when the former receives similar rotary motion. As the binder spindle commences
to revolve the roller 96, connected with the bell crank lever 95, leaves the recess f³
in the collar f*, whereby the slides or switches g³ are moved so as to cause the
packing claws to run idle or inoperative. At the same time the binder arm R
commences to rise above the table by virtue of the intermittent gearing S, S', upon
and actuated by the binding spindle F being brought into operation, and by the
time the binder arm is up so as to encircle the loose sheaf the roller or tappet ƒ³
fixed on the binder spindle comes into contact and forces back the thrust lever L
connected with the lever I through the intervention of the sleeve I¹ so as to
compress the sheaf against the binder' arm. Then the binding and knotting
operation immediately commences, and while the said operation is proceeding the

page_text: binder arm is maintained raised or in its forward position by the intermittent
nature of its gearing.
The revolving cam wheel P and rocking spindle q³, with its levers, now causes
the knotting tube t to be protruded to lock the string or cord in the hook eye of
the apparatus, when it commences to bodily revolve by its intermittent differential
gearing p, p, p, and t2, thus lapping the said string around the tube and at the
same time canting or turning the retainer to give the required slack. As soon as
this is completed during a little more than its one revolution the lever g¹ comes in
contact with a higher cam projection P2 on the wheel P and effects the necessary
projection of the internal hook t, which seizes the crossed strands and is almost
immediately returned within the tube t by the action of the spring upon the
withdrawal of the lever q³ as the lever q¹ clears the cam surface P2, whereupon the
second lever q falls into the recess P4 provided on the peripheral face of the cam
wheel, which, temporarially withdrawing the pressure of the lever from the cutting
and retaining apparatus, causes it to open by the action of its helical spring and
the continuous string from the binder arm to the bound sheaf immediately falls
therein. No sooner has sufficient interval been allowed to accomplish this, than the
lever is again forced out of the recess P4 by continued revolution of the cam wheel,
whereby the cutting and retaining apparatus is reclosed and the string reclining
therein is severed, while the free end to the binder arm is held locked or retained
therein.
The highest cam surface P³ now comes in contact with the lever q¹, so as to
suddenly protrude both in internal hook t2 and tube t of knotting apparatus,
whereby the knotted ends binding the sheaf are expelled.
By this time the roller f5 has travelled so far as to engage with the heel of the
horizontal lever K connected to that of I, whereby the latter is raised clear of the
sheaf ready to be ejected.
The intermittent gearing U', U2, U³, and U, connected with the binder spindle
for actuating the ejector U, is now brought into action, so as to raise it above the
table behind the bound sheaf, upon the commencement of which operation the
binder arm begins to gradually recede below the table, carrying with it the held
string over the bridge of the retainer.
All these before described operations are performed during one revolution of the
binding spindle F, which now becomes again thrown out of gear by the action of
the cam surface ƒ6 on the collar f4 against the side of the shipping lever M,
when the roller go again falls into the recess f³ on the collar of the clutch, and the
packing claws are again protruded ready to collect another sheaf.
We may observe in conclusion that it is obvious that the elements or details of
the herein before described binding machine or apparatus might be equivalently
modified without departing from the essence of our said Invention.
The third part of our said Invention relating to finger bars of mowing machines
has reference to improved apparatus for more effectually raising or clearing the
outer ends thereof, and at the same time so arranging, the mechanism and its
connections that the said finger bar is always to a certain extent left free to
compensate or automatically adjust itself to any irregularities in the surface of the
ground over which it is travelling.
The main frame W of the machine is free to rock or oscillate on the main
axle W', and the slade W2 to which the finger bar V is attached is as usual hinged
to the side of the said frame, so that the finger bar may be turned up for the
purpose of travelling. A tilting lever wis fixed to the joint pin or hinge w¹ of
the slade and extends away from the finger bar V₁ to within the framing of
the machine. The lifting chain w² attached to a hook on a quadrant W* formed
on the lower end of the main rocking or lifting lever W³, which is suitably
pivotted to the frame, is connected with one end of a rocking lever w³ pivotted to
the framing provided at its other extremity with an eye or collar through which
the lever w passes.
When the chain w² is lifted the opposite end of the rocking
lever w³ is depressed, which similarly forces down the free end of the lever w

page_text: passing through the collar on the former, thus causing the outer end of the finger
bar V₁ to be radially raised in a vertical plane about the hinge pin w', as shown
in Figures 18 and 19 of the Drawings, or in lieu of employing a rocking lever w³,
a heel or projection X may be provided at the back of the lifting quadrant W₁, so
as to directly force down the aforesaid tilting lever whinged to the slade carrying
the finger bar, whereby a similar effect or result is obtained as shown in the modified
arrangement at Figure 20 of the Drawings.
In order to more effectually resist lateral strains brought upon the fingers V of
mowing machines by impinging obstructions. on the field and to render them of
more generally stronger construction, we prefer to form them with two projecting
shoulders v, v¹, which serve as continuous and uniform strengthening abutments
when fixed to the finger bar V¹ as shewn at Figures 21 and 22 of the accompanying
Drawings, and to further enhance their strength and security we form the said
finger bars with rabbets or rectangular notches v³, into which the faces or ribs of
the fingers V rest and are rigidly bolted or rivetted to form a substantial and
durable joint.
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, we would observe in conclusion that what we consider to be novel, and
original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to us by the hereinbefore
in part recited Letters Patent is,--
First. The peculiar construction and arrangement of apparatus for raising and
lowering the machine, carrying the knives so as to render it adjustable according
to the height of the crop to be cut, substantially as hereinbefore described and
illustrated in Figures 1, 4, and 5 of the accompanying Drawings.
Second. In sheaf binding apparatus in which the packing spindle discs with
their claws are arranged to revolve continuously, the use of cam paths or guiding
surfaces controlled by slides or switches and arranged in such a manner that the
heels of the packing claws or suitable projections provided thereon are caused to
travel along one cam path or guiding surface so that their claws act upon the crop
when required for packing, and along another cam path or guiding surface so that
their claws are held inoperative within the periphery of the packing discs during the
binding operation, the packing claws being thus caused during the continuous
revolution of the discs to act intermittently upon the crop, substantially as herein-
before described and illustrated in Figures 6 to 12, inclusive, of the Drawings.
Third. The combination with the subject matter of the second claiming clause of
the peculiar automatic controlling mechanism by which the packing claws are held
inoperative or caused to run idle when the sheaf has attained a certain volume, and
are again brought into action when the sheaf has been bound, tied, and ejected,
substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the accompanying
Drawings.
Fourth. The combination of the compressing lever I, the thrust lever L, the
horizontal levers I and K, and the friction roller or tappet f5 mounted on the
binder spindle, the several parts being so arranged and combined together that
the said friction roller or tappet first effects the compression of the sheaf for binding
and then by its continued rotary course raises the compressing lever clear of the
sheaf to be ejected, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in Figure 7
of the accompanying Drawings.
Fifth. The combination of the shipping clutch or lever M with the compressing
and thrust levers so constructed and arranged that by the direct action of the
thrust lever upon the shipping clutch or lever the latter is raised and the binding
apparatus is thrown into gear and the packing claws are thrown out of action when
a determined volume to form the sheaf is accumulated, substantially as hereinbefore
described and illustrated in Figures 6, 6ª and 7 of the accompanying Drawings.
Sixth. The combination of the cam wheel P on the intermittent binder spindle,
the differential gearing operated intermittently by the said cam wheel levers, also
operated by the latter, and string knotting, retaining, and cutting apparatus, the

page_text: several parts being so arranged and combined together that the necessary rotary
and longitudinal motions are imparted to the knotting, retaining, and cutting
apparatus at the requisite times, substantially as and for the purposes herein-
before described, and as illustrated in Figures 13 to 15 inclusive of the
Drawings.
Seventh. Operating the ejector U by a cranked spindle passing through the
tubular shaft or sleeve carrying the binding arm, the path of the said ejector being
controlled by a radius rod, and its motion being independent of that of the binding
arm, substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore described and illustrated in
Figures 16 and 17 of the accompanying Drawings.
Eighth. The general construction, arrangement, and combination of parts consti-
tuting a sheaf binding machine or apparatus, substantially as herein before described
and illustrated in the accompanying Drawings.
Ninth. Clearing or raising the outer end of the finger bar in mowing machines
through the intervention of a rocking lever w³, connected at one end to the main
raising lever, and at the other end to the tilting lever acting upon the slade carrying
the figer bar, the said rocking lever being arranged and combined with the other
parts so as to operate substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in
Figures 18, 19, and 20 of the Drawings.
Tenth. Clearing or raising the outer end of the finger bar in mowing machines
by causing the main raising lever to operate directly upon the tilting lever, which
acts upon the slade carrying the finger bar, substantially as hereinbefore described
and illustrated in Figure 21 of the Drawings.
In witness whereof, we, the said James Hornsby, John Innocent, and George
Thomar Rutter, have to this our Specification set our hands and seals, this
Fourth day of August, One thousand eight hundred and eighty one.