IM- PROVEMENTS IN REAPING & MOWING MACHINES
Year: 1860

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Adam Carlisle Bamlett, of Middleton Tyas, near
Richmond, in the County of York, Farmer, for the Invention of "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN REAPING & MOWING MACHINES."
Sealed the 11th January 1861, and dated the 17th July 1860.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Adam Carlisle Bamlett
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 17th July 1860.
I, ADAM CARLISLE BAMLETT, of Middleton Tyas, near Richmond, in the
County of York, Farmer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING & MOWING MACHINES," to be as follows:-
My Invention relates, 1st, to a coil or other spring applied to the stem of
the swivel wheel usually placed under the front of the framework on the
outside of the Hussey reaper, to enable the machine to work more steadily
over uneven ground. This machine may further have a lever or ratchet for
elevating or depressing the knife.
2ndly, applying a small wheel, mounted on a stem or otherwise, from the
inside of the framework of the "Hussey reaper" near to the first finger,
which is of advantage in backing the machine when it is used for mowing, and
also to regulate the length of the knife; it also reduces the friction of the
shoe, which may, in part, be dispensed with.
3rdly, in causing the driving wheel to bite the ground when mowing. I fix
teeth to radiate from the periphery by screws or otherwise, so as to enable
their removal when required for reaping.
4thly, in the application to the fingers of reaping and mowing machines of

page_text: a lining or steel facing, rivetted or otherwise, similarly fixed thereto, forming
an overhanging sharp edge for the knife to cut against, which renders the
machine less liable to choke, and reduces the draught required. I also mako
the upper part of the finger broader than the cutting part, which keeps the
crop better up to the knife.
5tbly, I make the platform of reaping & mowing machines jointed over or
in the rear of the finger bar to assist the raker in delivering the crop. I
sometimes use springs to keep the platform in position till a sheaf is collected,
when the platform is depressed by the raker pressing his foot on it to effect
the delivery; or it may be held in position by the raker pressing his foot on
a lever till a sheaf is collected, and so that by raising his foot the platform
will be lowered, and the sheaf delivered. I sometimes place one or more
swivel wheels under the rear edge of the platform, over which a seat for
the raker is fixed, who rakes the corn off in sheaves at the side of the
machine.
6thly, to forming the cam actuating the cutting knives of a thin undulating
surface, which is embraced by two truck rollers mounted on the lever, which
is actuated thereby, and transmits the motion to the knives; and, further, I
so form the cam surface or surfaces that the knives shall move quicker at the
times of cutting than at other times of its motion.
7thly, to a revolving rake applied to swathe delivery machines having four
sets of tines (more or less) which rakes the corn into sheaves. When one
set of tines has collected a sheaf the attendant releases the axis of the
revolving rake, which delivers the sheaf, and allows another set of tines to
come round to collect the next sheaf. This rake is mounted in jointed bars,
which the attendant can raise, if required, which may be also supported by
a spring or other suitable support, in addition to the axis connecting the
supporting bars to the machine.
8thly, in machines fitted with a pivotted travelling wheel, I lock the wheel
in its normal position to prevent the machine scraping into the ground
when it is backed, which locking the driver may readily effect by means
of rods and levers, chains or other apparatus carried within reach from his
seat.
9thly, to cranking the finger bar, so that the part near the fingers & the
fingers shall be much nearer the ground than the part thereof which is fixed to
the frame, in order that the machine shall be better adapted for acting on
ridge and furrow land when used for mowing.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Adam Carlisle Bamlett in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 16th January 1861.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ADAM
CARLISLE BAMLETT, of Myddleton Tyas, near Richmond, in the County of
York, Farmer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Seventeenth day of July, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty, in the twenty-fourth year of Iler
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Adam Carlisle Bamlett, Her special licence that I, the said Adam
Carlisle Bamlett, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said Adam Carlisle Bamlett, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time
and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and
lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN REAPING AND MOWING MACHINES," upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said Adam Carlisle Bamlet, my exe-
cutors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one
of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature
of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and
cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Adam Carlisle Bamlett, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, reference being had to the Sheet of Drawings berounto
annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say) :-
My Invention relates, first, to a coil or other spring applied to the stem
of the swivel wheel usually placed under the front of the framework on
the outside of the "Hussey reaper," to enable the machine to work more
steadily over uneven ground; this machine may further have a lever or ratchet
for elevating or depressing the knife.
Secondly, in applying a small wheel mounted on a stem or otherwise from
the inside of the framework of the "Hussey reaper" near to the first finger,
which is of advantage in backing the machine when it is used for mowing,
and also to regulate the height of the knife; it also reduces the friction of the
shoe, which may in part be dispensed with.

page_text: Thirdly, in causing the driving wheel to bite the ground when mowing; I
fix teeth to radiate from the periphery by screws or otherwise so as to enable
their removal when required for reaping.
Fourthly, in the application to the fingers of reaping & mowing machines
of a lining or steel facing rivetted or otherwise similarly fixed thereto, forming
an overhanging sharp edge for the knife to cut against, which renders the
machine less liable to choke and reduces the draught required. I also make
the upper part of the finger broader than the cutting edge, which keeps the
crop better up to the knife.
Fifthly, I make the platform of reaping and mowing machines jointed over,
or in the rear of the finger bar to assist the raker in delivering the crop ; I
sometimes use springs to keep the platform in position till a sheaf is collected
when the platform is depressed by the raker pressing his foot on it to effect
the delivery, or I sometimes place one or more swivel wheels under the rear
edge of the platform over which a seat for the raker is fixed who rakes the
corn off in sheaves at the side of the machine.
Sixthly, to forming the cam actuating the cutting knives of a thin undula-
ting surface, which is embraced by two truck rollers mounted on the lever
which is actuated thereby and transmits the motion to the knives, and further
I so form the cam surface or surfaces that the knives shall move quicker at
the times of cutting than at other times of their motion.
Seventhly, to a revolving rake applied to swathe delivery machines having
four sets of tines, (more or less), which rakes the corn into sheaves; when one
set of tines has collected a sheaf, the attendant releases the axis of the
revolving rake, which delivers the sheaf and allows another set of tines to
come round to collect the next sheaf. This rake is mounted in jointed bars,
which the attendant can raise, if required, which may be also supported by a
spring or other suitable support in addition to the axis connecting the support-
ing bars of the machine.
Eighthly, in machines fitted with a pivotted travelling wheel; I lock the
wheel in its normal position to prevent the machine scraping into the ground
when it is backed, which locking the driver may readily effect by means
of rods and levers, chains, or other apparatus carried within reach from his
Ninthly, to cranking the finger bar so that the part near the fingers and
the fingers shall be much nearer the ground than the part thereof which is fitted
to the frame, in order that the machine shall be better adapted for acting on
ridge and furrow land when used for mowing.

page_text: DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
First part. Fig. 1 of the annexed Drawings represents a portion of a reaping
machine showing the lower ratchet and pall to elevate or depress the knife in
position. A is the framework; B, the travelling wheel of the machine, and C,
the traction bar; on the frame is jointed the ratchet bar f; and on the bar Ca
pall g', with a spring to press it up to the teeth of f. By depressing the
traction bar or pole C so that the pall g takes into one, two, or more teeth
from the top of the ratchet bar it forms a lever and lifts the framework, more or
less, from the ground, when it is raised to its working position; thus the height
of the cutting parts from the ground may be regulated as required.
Second part. The application of a small wheel mounted on a stem or
otherwise from the inside of framework of "Hussey reaper," near the first
finger is of advantage in backing the machine, when mowing it is also useful
to regulate the height of the knife; I have represented this wheel in Figs. 1,
2, 3, 4, & 5, of the annexed Drawings, but in this description will refer
principally to Fig. 3, in which the most approved arrangement is shown; g is
the wheel mounted in a socket so that it may turn in the manner of a castor
& fitted in the arm of the lever h mounted on a fulcrum at i fixed to tho
framework; by moving and fixing this hand lever the wheel may be caused to
bear with more or less weight on the ground, and thus relieve the shoe from
friction; the height of the knife can also be regulated thereby, or it may be lifted
off the ground when necessary. This wheel may be used as represented in
Fig. 2, to regulate the cutting height of the knife when reaping artificial
grasses, which require to be cut nearer the ground than in ordinary reaping;
then the cutting height may be regulated by the ratchet already described,
the wheel acting as a guard to the knife and preventing its contact with the
ground when working across ridge and furrow land.
Third part. The teeth on the periphery of the driving wheel to cause it to
bite the ground when mowing, which are removable by screws or otherwise,
are represented in Figs. 1 & 8, showing side views of the wheel, and in Figs. 6
& 7, showing cross sections of its periphery. In Fig. 1 they consist simply
of projecting ribs or prongs k, having one or two studs entered into holes in
the periphery of the wheel, and screwed tight by nuts on the inside, as seen in
Fig. 3; the difference in the arrangement represented in this Fig. is, that the
ribs or projections & are cast or otherwise formed on segments m fitted to the
periphery of the wheel, and fixed thereto by bolts and nuts n. By these means
the projecting ribs &, which bite the ground and prevent the slip of the wheel
while it is required to drive the machinery for mowing can be readily removed

page_text: to render the machine suitable for reaping or for travelling on the road from
one place to another.
Fourth part. The application to the fingers of reaping and mowing ma-
chines of a lining of steel facing rivetted or otherwise fixed to the fingers to
form an overhanging sharp edge for the knife to cut against, as also the form
of the upper part of the finger, are represented in Figs. 8, 9, & 10, Fig. 8,
being a plan, Fig. 9, a transverse section, and Fig. 10, a side view of a
finger detached; D is the finger bar to which the fingers E are fixed as in
ordinary; p is the piece of steel, which forms the cutting part of the fingers,
the edges of which are bevilled and overhanging so as to form a sharp
cutting edge for the knife q to act against in the manner of a pair of shears,
whereby the cutting parts are less liable to choke and require less power
to reap or mow than ordinary cutting parts. This steel cutting edge may
be readily fixed by dovetailing one end into the metal of the finger and
screwing or rivetting at the other, as represented, or otherwise as may be most
convenient for sharpening or removal. The knife q lies upon the steel
cutter and traverses across it as indicated by the positions in the Drawing as
will be readily understood. The improved form of the upper and under part
is represented in the cross section Fig. 9, and will require no description.
Fifth part. The platform of reaping and mowing machines, jointed over or
in the rear of the finger bar to assist the raker in delivering the crop, as also
the springs (a balance weight may be used, but I prefer the springs, as they
are lighter) used to keep the platform in position till a sheaf is collected are
represented in Figs. 2 & 4. F is the platform, hinged or jointed at G, G,
having affixed or formed on its axis an arm r, which is connected by a link s
to one end of a spring H, fixed at the other end to the framework of the
machine; the link S has holes, by which it enables the platform to be set
higher or lower to suit the crop. This spring or springs (there may be one at
each side of the platform) is of such strength that it sustains the platform
until a sufficient quantity of corn has been collected to form a sheaf. the
weight of which depresses the platform, as seen by the dotted lines, which
makes it much easier work for the raker to deliver the sheaf. The platform
when relieved immediately rights itself again in readiness to receive another
sheaf. For some crops, such as artificial grasses or short grain crops, the
jointed part of the platform F, F, may be hinged to the finger bar; the
springs may be stronger, and require to be acted upon by the raker to deliver
the sheaf, which he does by pressing bis foot upon it, or in other suitable
manner. 1 further combine the jointed platform F with swivel wheels, as
represented in plan at Fig. 11, and in sile view Fig. 11°, over which I

page_text: place a seat or other resting place for the raker to occupy where he rakes the
crop off at the side of the machine.
Sixth part. The sixth part, which relates to the cam surfaces for actuating
the cutting knife, is illustrated in Figs. 11 & 12. In Fig. 12, I is the rod
connecting the knife with the oscillating lever K, mounted on a fulcrum r
fixed to the framework of the machine; M is the thin cam surface, embraced
by two truck rollers mounted on the lever K, and causing it to oscillate, as
indicated by the dotted position. It will be observed, that the form of the
cam surfaces (in side view it is circular) is such that at each oscillation of the
lever K the knife moves through two fingers; when the truck roller has
traversed a quarter of one of the cams the knife then begins to cut through
the first finger, and moves much quicker till the roller has traversed one-half
of the cam; the knife has then cut through one of the fingers; the roller
traverses the second half of the cam with the same result. I do not limit
myself to the number of fingers which the knife may cut through at each
revolution of the lever, as that may be varied. The cam surfaces represented
in Fig. 11 are adapted for acting on one truck roller instead of two, they
embracing the truck roller between them; the object and result is, however,
the same as before described, and will require no further description.
Seventh part. The seventh part of my Invention relates to the application
of apparatus to reaping machines, which deliver the crop in the form of a
swathe. It is illustrated in Figs. 13 & 14; Fig. 13 being a plan and Fig. 14
a side view of so much of the delivery platform as is necessary to illustrate
the apparatus for collecting the swathe into sheaves. N is a metal frame
mounted on an axis t, t, and resting on a spring or springs u, u, which supports
the whole or nearly the whole weight of the sheaf collector. In frame N is
mounted an axis P having four (more or less) series of radial tines v, v, v,'
which are free to revolve on axis P when released by a spring stop Q, lever
and cross S fixed on P. The attendant walks behind holding the handle R of
frame N at a suitable distance from the ground, so that the lower tines collect
the swathe and drag it forwards until enough for a sheaf has accumulated, as
seen. He then releases the tines by pressing the spring lever Q, and so with-
drawing the stop and allowing the tines v, v, to revolve on axis P, which
deposits the sheaf and brings the next tines round in succession, which operates
as before, and so on. The delivery platform shown consists of endless belts
T, T, which deliver the crop at the side of the machine, and angular-running
belts U, U, which throw it round with the heads and butts into a suitable
position for collecting into sheaves.
Eighth part. The eighth part of my Invention relates to machines Titted

page_text: with a pivotted travelling wheel, which consists in locking that wheel in its
normal position to prevent the machine scraping into the ground when it is
backed, which locking the driver may readily effect by means of rods and
levers, chains, or other apparatus carried within reach from his seat; see
Fig. 11. V is the pivotted travelling wheel, which is left free to move on its
pivot w, while the machine is at work, moving forward or turning round;
but immediately it is desired to back the machine, it is fixed by means of a
catch pall W hooking into the rear end of the frame carrying the wheel V.
This catch pall W is constantly pressed out of contact with V by a spring, and
is operated so as to hold it by means of a cord x, x, or chain attached to its
free end, and conducted over pullies to the driver, who pulls it by his foot or
otherwise to effect the purpose desired. The pivotted travelling wheel is thus
rendered fixed, and held in position suitable for backing.
Ninth part. My Invention relates to cranking the finger bar, so that the
part near the fingers and-the-fingers shall be much nearer the ground than
the part thereof which is fitted to the frame, in order that the machine shall
be better adapted for acting on ridge and furrow land. This cranked finger
bar is applicable to the machine known as the "Hussey reaper," and is useful
either for reaping or mowing. It is represented in Fig. 5, which shows a
transverse front view of part of the machine sufficient to exhibit the cranked
part of the finger bar. This is represented at y, y, attached to the framework
Y, the ordinary form being represented in a direct line by the dotted lines, 5,
and the framing dotted to it at Z.
Having described the nature of my Invention, and the manner of performing
the same, I declare that what I claim as my Invention to be protected by the
berein-before in part recited Letters Patent is, the several novel arrangements
of parts herein-before described respectively as the first, second, third, fourth,
fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth heads of my Invention, and illustrated
in the Drawings hereunto annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said Adam Carlisle Bamlett, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Fifteenth day of January, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-one.
ADAM CARLISLE BAMLETT. (L.S.)